Tacoma, WA. – As the April 15 deadline for filing taxes quickly approaches, Tacoma taxpayers who may have overlooked credits and deductions on their returns can get a second chance to claim them -- and potentially save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. H&R Block is offering a free Second Look® review in offices nationwide April 3-5.
Already, H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) tax professionals have found more than $30 million* for their clients through the Second Look review service, identifying errors in four out of five tax returns prepared by other people. The Second Look review, which typically costs $29 but will be free this weekend, includes a professional review of a tax return, and advice on what to do if variances are found. Nearly half of those who re-filed with H&R Block received a bigger refund.
Confusion can cost
According to a new survey from The Tax Institute at H&R Block, 62 percent of taxpayers don’t know they can amend their return to claim missed credits or deductions. Generally, taxpayers can amend a return to claim a refund up to three years after the return due date, so the deadline to amend a 2005 return is April 15, 2009, which means time is running out to collect their share of the $1.3 billion in unclaimed refunds from 2005.
Commonly overlooked tax deductions and credits include:
• Recovery rebate credit
• Education tax benefits, including the Hope credit, Lifetime Learning credit and student loan interest deduction
• Earned income credit
• Child tax credit
• Saver’
• Medical expenses
• State and local taxes
• Self-employed business expenses.
“Why wouldn’t you want to get a second opinion on your tax health? Sometimes getting that professional second look, as many of us do for our physical health, can mean catching a credit or deduction you may have missed,” said Gale Mickelson, Marketing Manager at H&R Block. “In this economy, taxpayers can’t afford not to get all they’re entitled.”
Taxpayers eligible for Second Look review are those who did not use H&R Block, and who either prepared their own returns, or who paid someone else, or used someone else’s tax software or free online tax programs to prepare their returns.
Get a free Second Look
Here’s how taxpayers can cash in on their free Second Look.
• Anytime from April 3-5, take in a qualifying return to any of H&R Block’s 13,000-plus offices for a Second Look.
• Taxpayers can even take in 2008 returns and see if they’re due more money.
• Taxpayers can find an office near them – and a tax professional who fits their needs – at www.hrblock.com
* Figure reflects clients who had a positive savings and re-filed with H&R Block from Jan. 1, 2009 to March 11, 2009.
