Time Saved, Money Earned
LeAnna Goudeau Discovers the Reward of the Neighborhood Tax Centers Program
Twenty minutes. That’s the amount of time LeAnna Goudeau waited to find out the amount of her tax refund. A refund that would give her the opportunity to replace the car on its last legs, to paint and install new flooring in her newly purchased home and to set aside some money for a rainy day.
Goudeau received this momentous news at one of Neighborhood Centers' 20 Neighborhood Tax Centers, conveniently located at her local YMCA. "My two daughters played in the gym while I got my taxes done," Goudeau relates. "I was amazed it was done so quickly."
In years past, Goudeau completed her taxes online, but when she purchased her new home in 2009, she knew the process would be more difficult. "I knew there were going to be tax credits going in," she says.
After a quick call to 2-1-1 to verify the paperwork she needed, Goudeau and her daughters headed to the YMCA on a Saturday. "The wait wasn’t too bad—maybe about 10 minutes."
Though she was surprised that her volunteer tax assistant, Luke, was only in his 30s, she was impressed by how knowledgeable he was. "When there was a question whether I could claim the first-time homeowner’s tax credit, Luke got on the phone to double-check. He used his resources."
Goudeau was not only eligible for that first-time homeowner’s tax credit, but for several other tax credits that added to her surprisingly large refund. "When Luke showed me the final number, I didn’t know what to think. I got excited—I’m still excited!"
She not only expects to use the service again next year, but Goudeau is spreading the word. "I’ve mentioned Neighborhood Tax Centers to a few friends. It’s convenient, the tax assistants are knowledgeable, they offer speedy services and most of all, it’s free."
Time's running out to file your return!