Super Saturday - Central Ohio's Largest Free Tax Preparation Event Set to Help Hundreds of Hardworking People on February 2nd

Franklin County Commissioners Announce $75,000 Grant to Tax Time to Fund Financial Stability Efforts

For the second year, Tax Time (formerly known as the Franklin County EITC Coalition) will organize Super Saturday - the largest free tax preparation event in central Ohio, at Columbus Downtown High School on February 2nd.  Nearly 120 volunteers from local colleges, companies, and nonprofit organizations will complete an estimated 300 tax returns in one day, helping hardworking people receive the money they deserve.  This event will significantly increase the capacity of Tax Time coalition members  to provide tax preparation  in early February, when demand is highest.

"Super Saturday and other free tax preparation events are so important to the Central Ohio community.  They give taxpayers a way to avoid the unnecessary costs charged by commercial tax preparers or the risk of going to a preparer who has not been adequately trained. Just as importantly, they are a gateway to all sorts of financial resources that can help taxpayers maximize their refund and lead them further down their paths toward financial security” said Megan Sullivan, Chair of the Core Hosting Committee of Tax Time.

Franklin County has been a proud partner of Tax Time since 2007, approving over $500,000 to date to help return more money to local families. On January 29, 2013, Franklin County Commissioners approved $75,000 to support the 2013 program.

“Tax Time allows working families and individuals to keep more of their own money and to begin the first steps to building savings and gaining assets,” said Commission President John O’Grady. “Since the program’s inception, over 20,000 households have completed returns with the help of the coalition, resulting in over $25 million in refunds to Franklin County families.”

The event also includes a financial resources fair, with information on opening checking and savings accounts, enrolling in an incentivized savings account, 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.  In addition, a Nationwide Children's Hospital mobile health van will provide immunizations, check-ups and assessments.

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 eitc@uwcentralohio.org to learn more. .

Each year, Tax Time supports free tax assistance sites throughout Columbus between January and April.  In 2012, nineteen sites prepared 4,327 tax returns resulting in $5.4 million dollars in refunds and savings of more than $1 million to taxpayers who may have otherwise used a paid tax preparer. 

 

About Tax Time

Tax Time is a network of nonprofit, business, and government organizations that work to provide free tax assistance services and to connect people to financial education and savings opportunities. Tax Time’s mission is to provide the central Ohio community with information about, and access to, free, high-quality tax assistance services and financial resources that enable low and moderate-income households achieve financial stability.  Tax Time lead partners include: AARP, The Ohio Benefit Bank and United Way of Central Ohio.  For more information, go to taxtimecentralohio.org.