By Patricia Hall, CIRS
Manager, Community Programs
United Way of Greater Houston

 Families in tough financial circumstances could spend more than $350 with a traditional retail tax preparer to have their taxes prepared, apply for a Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL) and cash their RAL check.

 For most families, the extra money spent to receive their tax refund a couple days sooner is equivalent to groceries for the month or paying the utilities bills. Neighborhood Tax Centers provides high-quality, FREE tax preparation services to lower-income, hard-working families who earn less than $50,000.

 As tax season comes to a close, Neighborhood Tax Centers has extended hours at several locations so that they can handle the last minute rush of people who need to get their taxes done. The tax preparation service is free through Neighborhood Tax Centers and will help every family get the tax credits they are entitled to receive and avoid the dangers of potentially deceptive, quick loan offers that can have hidden costs.

Click Here for a list of locations that will provide you with information on locations and hours of the Neighborhood Tax Centers. An even easier way to locate the most convenient Neighborhood Tax Center is to call 2-1-1 and speak to a Call Specialist at the 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE.