New Year-Round Tax Center in Oakland County
(Feb. 17, 2011)
Just in time for the busy tax season, Accounting Aid Society has
opened a new location in Oakland County that is offering free tax preparation services.
But unlike some tax offices that spring up this time of the year then disappear after April 15, Accounting Aid’s new Oakland Neighborhood Tax Center in Ferndale is a “year-round” tax site. After April 15, it will continue to offer free help — for those who missed the tax deadline, have back taxes, need to amend a return, receive an IRS notice, or have other tax-related concerns.
The Center is located at 1956 Hilton, north of Nine Mile and east of Woodward Avenue , and offers services by appointment Tuesdays through Saturdays, by calling (313) 556-1920 or toll-free 866-673-0873. It is made possible with support from Bank of America.
Its main mission is to help low to middle income households receive federal and state refunds and credits, said Kathleen Hatke Aro, Accounting Aid Society president.
“The income tax refunds and credits we help clients recover is money that is saved and spent locally – a big plus anytime, but especially in today’s challenging economy,” said Aro.
Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner calls the new Center a welcome addition to the area.
“Accounting Aid Society has an important mission and we are stakeholders coming together.
Let us commit that there’s not one taxpayer in Oakland County who can’t get their taxes done.”
In addition to free tax preparation, the clients will have access to savings bond purchases and utility assistance.
Another Accounting Aid partner, the Oakland-Livingston Human Service Agency, will offer its services to clients at the Ferndale office. These services include food assistance and child insurance, home weatherization, Individual Development Account programs, credit scores and counseling, foreclosure prevention, and homeownership education.
“The services we provide help families stay in their homes, keep their utilities running, put food on the table, and save for the future,” said Aro.
The Oakland Neighborhood Tax Center is Accounting Aid Society’s fifth year-round center, but the first outside of Wayne County . The agency operates a total of 26 free tax sites through mid-April in Wayne, Oakland , Macomb and Livingston counties
Eligibility for Accounting Aid’s free tax preparation services is based on annual household income, regardless of age, and is for families with incomes $50,000 or less and individuals with incomes of $25,000 or less. For details, maps, and a list of documents to bring, visit www.accountingaidsociety.org or call toll-free 866-673-0873.
As the largest provider of free volunteer income tax preparation services in southeast Michigan , Accounting Aid served more than 17,260 households in 2010 and returned $21.2 million in refunds and credits. The nonprofit organization is headquartered in Detroit and has more than 35 years of tax experience. It has been named a “Best-Managed Nonprofit” by Crain’s Detroit Business.
