You Don’t Have to Spend Your Money on Tax Prep Fees
The Tax Deadline is Fast Approaching
DALLAS – April 3, 2018 – The deadline for filing individual tax returns is on Tuesday, April 17th. While many people are scrambling to find a trustworthy place where to file, some aren’t adding cost to the equation. The national average that is spent on tax preparation services is $276. What can that get you in Dallas right now?
- 112 gallons of unleaded gas (@ $2.46/ gallon)
- 166 gallons of store brand whole milk (@ $1.66/ gallon)
- 99 loaves of name brand whole wheat bread (@ $2.78/ loaf)
- 222 cartons of store brand medium grade A eggs, 12 ct. (@ $1.24/ dz)
- 492 rolls of store brand toilet paper (@ $3.36/ 6 pack double roll)
- Or you can spend a little and start a rainy day fund with the rest!
“Many people are unaware that there are local programs where you can get your taxes done at no cost,” said Ronnie Daniels, Director of the Dallas Community Tax Centers. “In Dallas alone, about 160,000 families qualify for our free tax preparation service.”
The Dallas Community Tax Centers is a non-profit organization certified by the IRS as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) center to prepare tax returns for individuals and families making less than $58,000 per year. There are eight locations across the City of Dallas and they are staffed with IRS-certified tax preparers and translators in English and Spanish.
“When it comes to your personal information and your money, you want to be careful who handles your return,” added Daniels. For the 2016 tax season, the IRS stopped 787,000 confirmed identity theft returns, totaling more than $4 billion. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- If you go to a tax preparation service, make sure you read any and all documents that require your signature.
- If you decide to do direct deposit, check to ensure it’s the same account number you provided to the preparer.
- Remember it is OK and critical to ask questions if you do not understand.
For more information on the Community Tax Centers sites, please call 214-370-9353 or visit www.DallasTaxCenters.org. All locations will have extended hours given the tax fast approaching deadline. Following is a list of locations:
St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church
5710 E. RL Thornton Fwy.
Dallas TX 75223
Monday – Friday 12:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Saturday – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
West Dallas Multipurpose Center
2828 Fish Trap Road
Dallas TX 75212
Monday – Friday12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturday – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Catholic Charities Dallas
1421 W Mockingbird Lane
Dallas TX 75247
Monday – Friday 1:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Saturday – 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
First Community Church
9120 Ferguson Rd.
Dallas TX 75228
Monday – Friday 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Singing Hills Baptist Church
6550 University Hills Blvd.
Dallas TX 75241
Tuesday & Thursday 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday & Friday 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed Mondays, except April 16 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Concord Church
6808 Pastor Bailey Dr.
Dallas TX 75237
Monday – Friday 1:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Closed Wednesday
Saturday – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
North Dallas Shared Ministries
2875 Merrell Rd.
Dallas TX 75229
Monday – Friday 2:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Saturday – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunrise Senior Center
13521 Method St.
Dallas TX 75243
(If using a smartphone with GPS for directions, please enter the entire address: 13521 Method Street, Dallas, TX 75243)
Monday – Friday 2:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Saturday – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
About Community Tax Centers
Community Tax Centers is a Foundation Communities program that returns millions of dollars to the local economy by helping low- to moderate-income families take better control of their finances. During the tax season, IRS-certified volunteers offer free tax help to individuals and families who earn less than $58,000 a year.
