GoodTAXES, the Goodwill free volunteer income tax preparation program located in Rockford and DeKalb, along with a mobile site that traveled to several locations throughout Goodwill’s service area, helped return over $3.5 million dollars in refunds to community individuals – the largest to date.
“This is just one of Goodwill’s financial services that helps to empower individuals and families, as the income tax check can be the single largest check most families receive all year. With this infusion of cash, families can save for the future, chase their dreams, build homes, and create better tomorrows for their children”, stated Courtney Geiger, Director of Mission Services at Goodwill.
Goodwill saved tax filers over $415,000 in tax preparation fees with its free tax preparation service offered to families with income less than $50,000. All returns were done with an extremely high acceptance rate for e-filed returns. One of Goodwill’s tax site customers, JD stated, “I sought help from Goodwill tax services to assist with prior year filing. I thought the process would be exhausting since I didn’t have any of my filing information. Goodwill tax assistants helped navigate me to the right people and the correct state department to obtain the necessary information to file. Their services were informative, helpful and efficient. I’d recommend everyone I know to call Goodwill Tax Services.”
Goodwill’s fifty-nine (59) IRS trained volunteers performed over 1,660 hours of service filing the 2,582 tax returns and five of Goodwill’s tax volunteers have earned the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award with over (100) hours of volunteer service to the program this tax season.
One of Goodwill’s tax volunteers, Jen, stated that “As a stay-at-home mom, volunteering with GoodTAXES gave me an opportunity to get back into a work place environment and use my education and CFP certification again. I truly enjoyed working with the clients and the Goodwill staff and it’s rewarding to help so many people. I look forward to volunteering again next year.”
Now in it’s 7th year, Goodwill Industries GoodTAXES program has helped individuals access over 14 million dollars in federal refunds. Partners for the tax sites include United Way of the Rock River Valley, Kishwaukee United Way, the IRS, the Rockford Public Schools, Rock Valley College, Northern Illinois University, many GoodTAXES mobile site partners, and the generous businesses that donated to the program’s volunteers.
Goodwill will continue the free tax service throughout the end of the year every Monday by appointment only. Taxes can be done for 2015, as well as for tax years 2014 and 2013. To make an appointment or for more information on the program, call (815) 987-6200.