Discounted Tax Preparation, Possible Earned Income Tax Credit Refunds Available for Qualified Low Income Workers.

Liberty Tax Service in Conjunction with the NYC Dept. of Consumer Affairs and the Robin Hood Foundation encourage Workers to File Returns; Tax Service Company Offers Deep Discounts, Reduced Flat Fees for Tax Preparation

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Working New Yorkers earning less than $38,000 may qualify for a substantial refund from the federal government. But to collect any Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) they may qualify for, workers must file an income tax return according to officials from Liberty Tax Service.

The New York Dept. of Consumer Affairs (NYDCA), the Manhattan-based anti-poverty organization, the Robin Hood Foundation and the EITC New York City Coalition, are teaming up with Liberty Tax Service to encourage lower wage earners to file their federal tax returns so that they can determine their eligibility for any Earned Income refunds.

"It's simple," said John Hewitt , CEO of Liberty Tax Service. "If you work and earn less than $38,000, you may qualify for a substantial refund - perhaps as much as 6,000."

To determine who is eligible for the EITC, workers first must file their 2006 federal taxes before April 16, 2007. Liberty Tax Service is participating in this effort by offering "half off" tax preparation fees over the next several years, according to Hewitt. Additional discounts for other products and services may also be available.

All VITA overflow referrals within the five boroughs who present one of the Robin Hood/NYCDCA coupons qualifies for the tax preparation discount; however, individuals due a government EITC refund must meet certain conditions, Hewitt said.

NYDCA, the Robin Hood Foundation and their affiliates are distributing the coupons through a network of VITA sites, churches, "door-knocker" volunteer sweeps, selected New York City McDonalds restaurants, labor unions, and even to New York City employees. Details are listed on the coupon or by contacting either agency.

Program Highlights:

* The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit that reduces or eliminates the taxes that low-income working people pay. As a wage subsidy for low-income workers, the EITC is one of the country's largest anti-poverty tools.

* The 50 percent discount off tax preparation services is capped at $75 ($85 in latter years) for the referral with dependents who earns less than $40,000; $20,000 for those without dependents.

* Other referrals earning more than the coalition income guidelines; Liberty Tax will still honor the 50 percent discount.

* This offer is valid for three consecutive years at the same Liberty offices.

About Liberty Tax Service:

Founded in 1997, Liberty Tax Service is the fastest growing retail tax preparation company in the industry's history. Founder and CEO John T. Hewitt has 38 years of tax industry experience, the most of any CEO in the tax preparation business. Hewitt is also the founder of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service (NYSE: JTX).

Liberty Tax Service operates 2,450 offices throughout the United States and Canada, and has prepared over 4,000,000 individual income tax returns. The company focuses on computerized income tax preparation, electronic filing and refund loans. Emphasis on customer service including audit assistance, a money back guarantee and free tax return checking are just a few of the above and beyond features offered by Liberty Tax Service.

Web sites for more information:

www.libertytax.com

www.robinhood.org/index.cfm

www.nyc.gov/html/dca/html/home/home.shtml

www.hrblock.com