FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 10, 2010

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jasmine Shafik 

(714) 530-0430 ext. 968

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BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GARDEN GROVE HOSTS FOURTH ANNUAL FREE COMMUNITY TAX DAYS CAMPAIGN ENCOURAGING FAMILIES TO BE TAX-READY

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (February 10, 2010)—Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove (BGCGG) is once again teaming up with Orange County United Way and Legal Aid Society of Orange County to sponsor Free Community Tax Days on February 20th, March 6th, and April 10th at Clinton Branch, located at 1365 Clinton St. in Garden Grove.   This is the fourth year BGCGG has participated in the county-wide effort to increase access to financial stability programs.

This year the Free Community Tax Days program will offer additional services that will enable even more individuals and families to access the free tax filing.  BGCGG will host certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistors (VITA), who support families with filing their taxes and claiming the tax credits they are eligible for. VITA will be able to assist with one-on-one personal tax assistance for qualifying individuals.  Most individuals and families will easily be able to file their taxes by utilizing the free and user-friendly I-CAN E-File program. By using I-CAN E-file option, taxpayers also get the benefits of a fast refund, reduced error rate, and a quick acknowledgement.  The program is quick, easy, and empowering.  There is no need to spend hard earned money on preparing taxes, instead filers can do it themselves and save. Taxpayers can get a refund in as few as 10 days with direct deposit. If the filer owes taxes, they also can control their payments and set a date such as April 15 for electronic payment. The error rate for an e-filed return is 1 percent, compared to 20 percent for a paper return. Unlike paper filers, e-filing taxpayers also will receive an acknowledgement that the IRS has received and accepted or rejected their returns.

The Free Community Tax Days program also offers assistance on how to obtain up to $5,000 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the primary anti-poverty program in the United States offered to low-to-moderate income individuals and families (generally below $50,000) who meet IRS guidelines. Many families are unaware of this tax credit and each year an estimated amount of $41 to $65 million EITC dollars go unclaimed in Orange County.

The good news is Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove is prepared to help people claim the credits they earned. Here are important items individuals and families need to bring to the Free Community Tax Day:

• Proof of identification
• Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
• Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
• Current year’s tax package if you received one
• Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
• A copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available
• Bank routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit
• Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number)
• To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms

For additional questions about Free Community Tax days or to schedule an appointment, please call This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at 714-532-7947 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you cannot make it, file online at www.icanefile.org/?caller=466. For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, please visit at www.begreatgardengrove.org or call 714-530-0430.

ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GARDEN GROVE

For more than 50 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove (BGCGG) has helped kids “BE GREAT” by changing and saving young lives, playing an integral role in its community. Striving to help children succeed in life, the Boys & Girls Clubs provide hope and opportunity through after-school programs, family support and community outreach. Known as The Positive Place For Kids, our 57 program sites serve over 5,000 young people from “Diapers to Diplomas,” ages 18 months-18 years old, every day.

The Clubs are open daily with programs in character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, the arts, health and life skills, and sports, fitness and recreation. Our family outreach programs such as Family Campus Preschool, School Readiness, REACH For Literacy (Reading Education for Adults & CHildren), ARCHES (Access to Resources for Children's Health, Education and Support), FYOP (Family & Youth Outreach Program), and TRC (Truancy Reduction Center) expand our services to ensure that the needs of the whole child are met. Through our efforts we do our best to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Please visit www.begreatgardengrove.org for more information.

ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY

Orange County United Way is committed to building self-sufficient lives and strengthening the overall health of our communities through our Community Impact work focused on three priority areas: basic needs, education and financial stability. By investing in programs that align with these key areas, Orange County United Way and its partners are providing a safety-net of care today and supporting long-term change to build self-sufficiency tomorrow. Orange County United Way has a responsibility to its donors to demonstrate operational efficiency and show measurable impact within the communities we serve. Orange County United Way is a local, private, 501 (c) (3).

For more information and to learn how you can LIVE UNITED, visit www.unitedwayoc.org.

ABOUT LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY

Founded in 1958 by the Orange County Bar Association, LASOC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide civil legal services to low-income individuals and seniors and to promote equal access to the justice system through advocacy, legal counseling, innovative self-help services, in-depth legal representation, economic development and community education.  LASOC’s client community consists of individuals whose incomes fall below 200% of the federal poverty threshold ($42,400 annually for a family of four) and those over the age of 60.  LASOC’s practice areas and special programs in its Orange County and Southeast Los Angeles (where it is known as Community Legal Services/CLS) offices  include: family law, housing/landlord-tenant, government benefits, special education issues, consumer law, bankruptcy, Asian-American Services, Health Consumer Action Center, Low Income Taxpayers Clinic, Homeless Outreach Program, MedLaw Project and Foreclosure Mitigation Unit.  In 2008 alone, LASOC 1) responded to approximately 200 calls per day on its Toll-Free Hotline; 2) closed 13,564 civil cases; 3) closed 4,551 cases (of the total cases closed) which involved issues that relate to family, including, but not limited to, assistance with:  protection orders for victims of domestic violence, dissolutions of marriage, and child custody/child support disputes and paternity matters.  LASOC also returned more than $33.4 million to taxpayers nationwide through its Earned Income Tax Credit Initiative.  As the Small Claims Advisory in Orange County, LASOC provides guidance on more than 31,000 cases annually.  LASOC’s Toll-Free Hotline is (800) 834-5001.  To learn more LASOC, visit www.legal-aid.com or www.lasoc.com.  To donate, partner or volunteer, contact Anna Lisa Biason, Director of Development, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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