First Annual Orange County Community Tax Day Set April 15.

Business Editors/Legal Writers

SANTA ANA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2003

All eligible taxpayers can have IRS-trained volunteers prepare and file their tax returns free of charge during Orange County's first Community Tax Day April 15.

The event, sponsored by Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-47th District), the Legal Aid Society of Orange County (LASOC), the Community Action Partnership and the Internal Revenue Service, will take place that Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the LASOC offices, 902 N. Main St. in Santa Ana, Calif.

Agency volunteers will assist English, Spanish and Vietnamese-speaking taxpayers in preparing and filing their returns in time for the midnight deadline or in obtaining a filing extension, according to Robert Cohen, LASOC executive director.

The event will take on a festive flavor with refreshments, colorful decorations, clowns and craft activities for the children and other activities, including a T-shirt giveaway.

Upon arrival, volunteers will determine if each applicant possesses the necessary documentation, including Social Security numbers for each family member, W-2 or 1099 proof of income forms and last year's tax returns. Paralegals and other professional tax experts then will use LASOC's I-CAN! automated tax filing system or other software to prepare and file the returns.

According to Barbara Kuhns, senior tax specialist for the IRS, taxpayers who do not owe money or are due returns are not subject to penalties for filing after the April 15 deadline, but must file before Oct. 10.

Advisors also will be on hand to assist applicants who may be eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC) refunds, which can amount to as much as $4,000 for each low-income family or senior citizen.

Representative Sanchez is one of the first congressional supporters of the I-CAN! program, which so far has helped more 15,000 individuals to file legal and tax forms.

"Low-income earners who did not claim the EIC for the past three years can file or amend prior tax returns, potentially allowing them to receive up to $12,000 at one time, depending on their eligibility status," Cohen said.

He said taxpayers will be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis during the Community Tax Day event. Further information is available at 714/571-5259.