Nonprofits Help Low-Income Families File Tax Returns, Get Credits

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, Orange County United Way and the Legal Aid Society of Orange County have teamed to sponsor Free Community Tax Days to help families file their income taxes and claim tax credits they may not be aware they are eligible for.

Particular focus will be directed at getting filers to explore their eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which is the primary anti-poverty program offered to individuals and families who meet the Internal Revenue Service's low-income guidelines. It is estimated $41 million to $65 million in EITC dollars go unclaimed in Orange County every year because families do not realize they qualify. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Garden Grove helped 80 families save more than $110,000 through the EITC during last year's tax season.

Free Community Tax Days are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday as well as Feb. 21 and March 14 at Clinton Kids Club, 9860 Larson Ave., Garden Grove. Email Abraham Palomares or call him at (714) 532-7940 for more information or to schedule an appointment. If you can't make it out to a Tax Day, you can file online here.