The Elizabethtown branch of State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is once again preparing to help qualified North Carolina and Bladen County residents with their tax preparation needs. For the last eight years, SECU branches across the state have helped members save millions in fees and are poised to do so again in 2016. In 2015 alone, Credit Union tax preparers filed over 102,000 returns, with participating taxpayers receiving over $140 million in refunds and saving more than $12.3 million in tax preparation fees.
Through the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, North Carolina residents with basic tax return needs and a 2015 household income of up to $54,000 may qualify to have their return prepared at no cost. Members of the Credit Union who are not eligible for free tax preparation through VITA may be eligible to participate in SECU’s Low-Cost tax preparation program for a flat fee of $75 per return. SECU’s Low-Cost program is NOT associated with the IRS VITA service. Electronic filing is available for either option, allowing members to receive their tax refund in as little as 8-15 business days.
Preparation of 2015 tax returns begins Wednesday, Jan. 20, in all of SECU’s 255 branches. SECU tax preparers will be able to complete and electronically file both federal and North Carolina tax returns for participating members. For further information regarding eligibility or what items are needed to have a return prepared, contact the Elizabethtown branch of SECU at 910-862-2100 or visit SECU’s website www.ncsecu.org.
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