GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (January 20, 2011) — Each year an estimated amount of $41 to $65 million Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) dollars go unclaimed in Orange County. To help tax filers claim the credits they deserve, Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove (BGCGG) is teaming up with Orange County United Way and Legal Aid Society of Orange County (LASOC) to host its 5^th Annual Free Community Tax Days on February 12^th, March 5^th, and April 2^nd at Clinton Branch, located at 13645 Clinton St. in Garden Grove.

Free Community Tax Days offers certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistors (VITA) to assist individuals and families with filing their taxes and claiming credits up to $5,666 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program, for those who make generally below $48,362 and meet IRS guidelines.

Individuals and families will find it easy and empowering to file their taxes utilizing the free and user-friendly I-CAN E-File program, which offers benefits of a fast refund, reduced error rate, and quick acknowledgement. Filers can save their hard earned money on preparing taxes by completing it themselves and expect a refund in as few as 10 days, with direct deposit. If the filer owes taxes, they also can control their payments and set a date, such as April 15, for electronic payment. The error rate for an e-filed return is 1 percent, compared to 20 percent for a paper return. Unlike paper filers, e-filing taxpayers also will receive an acknowledgement that the IRS has received and accepted or rejected their returns.

For additional questions about Free Community Tax days or to schedule an appointment, please call This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at 714-532-7947 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you cannot make it, file online at www.icanefile.org/?caller=466. For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, please visit at www.begreatgardengrove.org or call 714-530-0430.

ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GARDEN GROVE

For more than 50 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove (BGCGG) has helped kids “BE GREAT” by changing and saving young lives, playing an integral role in its community. Striving to help children succeed in life, Boys & Girls Clubs provide hope and opportunity through afterschool, family support, and community outreach programs. Our 57 program sites serve over 8,500 families annually and 5,000 young people daily, from “Diapers to Diplomas,” ages 18 months-18 years old.

The Clubs are open daily with programs in character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, the arts, health and life skills, and sports, fitness and recreation. Our family outreach programs such as Family Campus Preschool, School Readiness, REACH For Literacy (Reading Education for Adults & CHildren), ARCHES (Access to Resources for Children's Health, Education and Support), FYOP (Family & Youth Outreach Program), and TRC (Truancy Reduction Center) expand our services to ensure that the needs of the whole child are met. Through our efforts we do our best to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Please visit www.begreatgardengrove.org for more information. Great Futures Start Here.

ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY

Orange County United Way is committed to building self-sufficient lives and strengthening the overall health of our communities through our Community Impact work focused on three priority areas: basic needs, education and financial stability. By investing in programs that align with these key areas, Orange County United Way and its partners are providing a safety-net of care today and supporting long-term change to build self-sufficiency tomorrow. Orange County United Way has a responsibility to its donors to demonstrate operational efficiency and show measurable impact within the communities we serve. Orange County United Way is a local, private, 501 (c) (3).

For more information and to learn how you can LIVE UNITED, visit www.unitedwayoc.org.

ABOUT LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY

Founded in 1958 by the Orange County Bar Association, LASOC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide civil legal services to low-income individuals and seniors and to promote equal access to the justice system through advocacy, legal counseling, innovative self-help services, in-depth legal representation, economic development and community education.  LASOC’s client community consists of individuals whose incomes fall below 200% of the federal poverty threshold ($42,400 annually for a family of four) and those over the age of 60.  LASOC’s practice areas and special programs in its Orange County and Southeast Los Angeles (where it is known as Community Legal Services/CLS) offices  include: family law, housing/landlord-tenant, government benefits, special education issues, consumer law, bankruptcy, Asian-American Services, Health Consumer Action Center, Low Income Taxpayers Clinic, Homeless Outreach Program, MedLaw Project and Foreclosure Mitigation Unit.  In 2008 alone, LASOC 1) responded to approximately 200 calls per day on its Toll-Free Hotline; 2) closed 13,564 civil cases; 3) closed 4,551 cases (of the total cases closed) which involved issues that relate to family, including, but not limited to, assistance with:  protection orders for victims of domestic violence, dissolutions of marriage, and child custody/child support disputes and paternity matters.  LASOC also returned more than $33.4 million to taxpayers nationwide through its Earned Income Tax Credit Initiative.  As the Small Claims Advisory in Orange County, LASOC provides guidance on more than 31,000 cases annually.  LASOC’s Toll-Free Hotline is (800) 834-5001.  To learn more LASOC, visit www.legal-aid.com or www.lasoc.com.  To donate, partner or volunteer, contact Anna Lisa Biason, Director of Development, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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