Free, Local Tax Assistance Kicks Off at Concordia U.

Thousands get tax help, returning millions of dollars to local residents

An estimated 20-25 percent of working families who qualify to receive the federal Earned Income Tax Credit may not be aware of the credit. A collaborative effort by local nonprofits and government partners hopes to change that by offering free tax assistance and information about the credit.

Today, Concordia University became the newest of more than 50 sites across the tri-county Portland Metro area to offer free tax preparation services, thanks to its accounting student volunteers and the leadership of faculty member David Tucker in Concordia's School of Management.

Concordia joined nonprofits CASH Oregon and AARP Tax-Aide, along with Multnomah County, City of Portland and the Internal Revenue Service, in a kick-off event on campus to raise awareness of the earned income tax credit and to offer free tax preparation services across the tri-county Portland Metro area.

"We're thrilled that Concordia University will serve as a site for tax assistance in Northeast Portland," said Bruce Murray, board chair of nonprofit CASH Oregon, "and we look forward to building upon last year’s 15,000 returns filed and $16 million back for tri-county residents who need this tax assistance."

Through Multnomah County's Mobile Unit, employers may also request services at work sites for employees who may benefit from tax assistance. For more information visit www.ourcommission.org/fes.

For a full list of local tax assistance locations and time, as well as information about what documents to bring along, visit www.cashoregon.org.

This event was posted by dthomas@cu-portland.edu.