United Way of the Brazos Valley's FREE Community Tax Site is open. The site which is located at 3991 E. 29th Street in Bryan, will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30pm - 7:30pm and Saturdays from 9am - 1pm through April 14, 2009.

As a service to the community, the Community Tax Site is a United Way program that helps lower income working families get their taxes prepared for free and also receive any earned income credits (EITC) for which they may be eligible. EITC is a refundable tax credit available to individuals and families earning less than a certain income per year.

During the 2008 tax season, United Way and volunteers in the Brazos Valley returned more than $95,000 in refunds to 84 local hardworking families and to the local economy. Of the families helped, 23 were eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and received $68,000 in EITC tax refunds.

Receiving a tax refund is also a good opportunity for families to consider starting or increasing their savings account. It's quick and easy to save part of your tax return, directly depositing into as many as three accounts. "Pay yourself first by putting some in savings, then use the rest to pay your bills or make a purchase through another account, such as your checking account," said Kay Parker, Vice President Community Impact, United Way. "Best of all, this is a way to help families prepare for the future!"

For more information about the tax site, or to schedule an appointment, call 2-1-1 and a trained I&R Specialist will help you. Or, anyone may just walk-in during hours of operation to have their taxes prepared.

2-1-1 Texas, United Way of the Brazos Valley, and Workforce Solutions are in partnership to focus on the need to make community resources more accessible to those in need.