Tax time is coming fast, and, if they haven’t done it already,
people are scrambling to file their returns before the April 15
deadline.
Hollister – Tax time is coming fast, and, if they haven’t done it already, people are scrambling to file their returns before the April 15 deadline.
“We’re really busy from January through mid-February. Then we have a second peak that starts [April 2] through April 15,” said Georgia Domingue, who is an administrative assistant at H & R Block in Hollister, which will have extended hours and will be open on Sundays for the next two weeks.
People receiving refunds file their returns early, but people who are going to owe money tend to wait to the last minute, she said.
“It (filing a tax return) doesn’t bother me terribly,” said Hollister resident Shareen Jones. Her tax preparer filed her return this week.
Ami Leso from San Juan Bautista said that she hadn’t filed her taxes yet, but she is having an accountant do it this week.
“I’m like anyone else,” she said. “I pay them (taxes) and I think it’s reasonable.”
While many people choose to use an accountant or tax preparer to file their return, preparing a tax return doesn’t have to cost money.
There is a free way to take some of the expense and stress out of filing a return.
Volunteers in San Benito County have teamed up with the American Association of Retired Persons to offer no cost consultation and assistance in filing basic tax forms, such as the 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ.
The Tax-Aide program is targeted at people who are at least 60-years-old, “But anyone is welcome to come in,” said Charee Gillins, associate state director of communications for AARP in Sacramento.
All Tax-Aide volunteers are trained by the IRS, she said.
In Hollister, people can take advantage of the free help Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30am – 4pm at the community center through April 14. For more information call Dolly DeVasier at 637-1980.
No matter how you chose to file your return, “Just make sure your information is together and accurate,” said Domingue. “You just better get it in and get it done.”
Luke Roney covers education for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lr****@fr***********.com.
