Free Tax Prep Brings C. Oregonians Millions

Tax time can be dreadful for many people, especially those who can’t afford to hire a tax preparer.

But The Partnership to End Poverty and AARP held free clinics early this year to help those in need locally. Because of these services, Central Oregonians will see an additional $4 million in refunds from federal returns alone this year.

“The average family that we serve makes about $20,000 and their average (refund) is $1,500,” Sarah Holtzclaw, Deputy Director of Partnership to End Poverty, said Wednesday “It’s spent immediately in the local community — paying bills buying clothes, buying shoes, paying off rent, that sort of thing.”

Together, their volunteers helped file close to 4,000 tax returns for low- to medium-income individuals and families at nine sites across the High Desert.

“A lot of people would have to go to a paid preparer. And I have nothing against paid preparers, but when you’re making $20,000 a year, you just can’t afford $200 to have that done,” said Holtzclaw.

One of the sites Partnership To End Poverty works with is the Bend Public Library downtown, and officials with the library say their partnership has been beneficial to the community, with numbers served jumping 66 percent this year.

“We do see a lot of people, and it’s now one of those things that’s now being expected every year,” said Lisa Sjoblom of the Bend Library. “So we’re very happy to work with them, to provide the space so they can come in and have these local assistants’ help.”

“I think its a great thing,” said Bend resident Pamela Audia. “I’m actually a senior, and its too complicated for me. Plus I came from two states — I didn’t know what to do.”

“These are the hardest hit people in this down economy,” said Holtzclaw. “So these are desperate times, and they need this. We need this.”

The Partnership to End Poverty is dedicated to reducing poverty in Central Oregon long-term through collaborations with other organizations.

You can find more information about the organization and free tax preparation clinics for next year on their website: www.partnershiptoendpoverty.org.