Great Southern financial network to offer free tax assistance

Just in time for tax season, a free tax filing service is available to low income families and senior citizens in Springfield through Across The LifeSpan Financial Services Network and Great Southern Bank. According to an ATLS news release, the ATLS Network opened a tax clinic Feb. 3 at the Great Southern Bank branch at 1955 S. Campbell Ave.

The clinic offers tax preparation, electronic filing and controversy assistance at no cost to ATLS clients. ATLS members include Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation, the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging, Southwest Missouri State University, Great Southern Bank, the Internal Revenue Service, Missouri Department of Revenue and Springfield-Greene County Library.

"The ATLS network was created when OACAC, SWMOA and SMSU came together and formed a network to provide a range of free tax services to clients," said Dr. Sandra D. Byrd, SMSU professor in the School of Accountancy and an ATLS member. "Historically, each agency provided free services through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly sites. This network of agencies enables members to leverage resources, reduce service duplication and bridge gaps that were evident when the members worked independently."

ATLS also will help eligible low-income and senior taxpayers to file for available federal and state tax credits. Millions of dollars in tax credits go unclaimed in southwest Missouri each year due to a lack of awareness of the benefit or a lack of understanding of how to apply, an ATLS release said.

"This is another great example of a community partnership coming together to address an important need," said Springfield Mayor Tom Carlson at the press conference announcing the clinic. "The potential benefits to the recipients of this new service also benefits the community as a whole when more of our citizens gain greater financial stability by using this new resource."

Eligible tax filers can have their taxes prepared and electronically filed for free and have their tax refunds automatically deposited into a checking or savings account at the recipient's bank of choice. Great Southern Bank is donating the office space and computers for these services. The clinic at Great Southern is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with some evening hours available. Appointments are required.

"Great Southern is pleased to be a part of the ATLS network and to donate this office space that will support ATLS' efforts in improving the tax filing process for taxpayers," said Joe Turner, Great Southern president and CEO.

ATLS encourages taxpayers to take advantage of tax credits such as the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families.

According to ATLS, an estimated $10 million is unclaimed each year by southwest Missourians who are eligible.

The Missouri property tax credit for seniors is another tax credit that often goes unclaimed. The State of Missouri provides a housing rebate to qualifying individuals for Missouri real estate tax, nursing home expense and/or rent paid for housing or a mobile home lot.

Last year, more than $5 million in housing rebates were claimed by senior taxpayers who utilized the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program offered by ATLS member, Southwest Missouri Office on Aging.