Milw. Asset Building Coalition offers free tax preparation services

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- If you haven't received your W-2s in the mail, you will soon.  Tax season is here and we know how stressful that could be.  There is help in Milwaukee County that can ease the burden of filing them yourself.

For the 12th straight year, the Milwaukee Asset Building Coalition, or MABC, is offering a free tax service program to low-income families earning less than $56,000 a year.

Volunteers from the Social Development Commission, the IRS and a number of banks not only help file taxes, but also check credit scores and offer financial advice.

“We want to connect these tax returns with credits that people get in order to perhaps save and buy a home,” said Social Development Commission CEO Jan Stenlund.

For Daniel Saffold, it helps him get the highest return at no cost.

“This helps me in a big, tremendous way.  As far as not having to pay, to have my Homestead Credit done, they give me a little extra money to help pay my bills and everything,” said Saffold.

He went to the Social Development Commission office on Richards Street -- just one of more than a dozen sites that offers the free help.

“We've served over 117,000 people,” said Stenlund.

Tax preparers say one thing to note this year is that because of the last-minute “fiscal cliff” deal in Washington, the IRS has delayed processing returns by more than a week.

“The longer that they have to wait to get the actual return accepted, the longer it's going to be for the return to come,” said LaToya Jones, Asset Development Manager at the SDC.

Although people like Saffold may have to wait a little longer for a refund, he says it sure beats the hassle of filing taxes himself.

“Just pack your little patience and give them time,” said Saffold.

The last day to get free tax preparation services is Tax Day, April 15th.

There are 17 locations throughout Milwaukee County.  For a list of those locations, click here.