Columbus, Ohio -- For the fourth year, Tax Time will organize Super Saturday - the largest free tax preparation event in central Ohio, at Columbus Downtown High School on February 7th. More than 100 volunteers from local colleges, companies, and nonprofit organizations will complete an estimated 200 tax returns in one day, helping hardworking taxpayers receive the money they deserve.
"Tax Time’s annual Super Saturday event is so important to our central Ohio community because it helps our residents obtain free, bus line accessible, high-quality tax preparation and awesome financial resources," said Christopher A. Jones, chair of the Tax Time. "Super Saturday’s ability to combine, in one event, free tax preparation and helpful services such as financial coaching, products and savings programs creates wonderful opportunities for our clients to keep more of their tax refund and increase their economic stability."
Franklin County has been a proud partner of Tax Time since 2007, approving over $600,000 to date to help return more money to local families. For 2015, the Franklin County Commissioners approved $75,000 to support the program.
"Super Saturday and Tax Time are great resources that enable Franklin County residents to get and keep more of their money by providing tax preparation assistance," said Franklin County Commissioner and Board President Marilyn Brown. "The service is absolutely free – no fees to the preparers, no fees or interest rates on refunds. The financial resource fair will showcase ways to save, manage, and protect income and assets. I’m proud of this program and the millions of dollars it returns to the pockets of our hard working residents."
The event also includes a financial resource fair that features information on opening checking and savings accounts, understanding and enrolling in healthcare, understanding and repairing your credit, FAFSA preparation, and benefits application assistance. There will be children’s activities, and Columbus Kids: Ready, Set, Learn staff will provide kindergarten readiness assessments.
This year, tax law changes related to the Affordable Care Act will impact millions of people who don’t have insurance or who purchased insurance through the healthcare marketplace. Approximately 25% of all taxpayers will be affected including many households that make $60,000 or less and are eligible to have their taxes done free by Tax Time volunteers. Our volunteers are trained to help clients navigate complex healthcare-related tax issues, solve tax-related legal issues, and connect uninsured clients with healthcare enrollment resources.
Those who cannot come to Super Saturday can still call 2-1-1 to get information on the many sites around central Ohio where free tax preparation is provided. Volunteers who want to help can go to taxtimecentralohio.org or email
[email protected] to learn more.
Each year, Tax Time supports free tax assistance sites throughout Columbus between January and April. In 2014, volunteers prepared 16,289 tax returns resulting in $17.2 million dollars in refunds and savings of more than $6.5 million to taxpayers who may have otherwise used a paid tax preparer.