"I wish I had known about this last year" the young woman told the IRS trained volunteer tax preparer after having her federal and state income tax returns prepared and e-filed for free. "Last year I paid $250.00 to have my taxes done." Similar comments were heard throughout the day as tax preparers were busily answering questions and filing returns.

CA$H Coach and Tax Preparer assist the client.

What made the day extra "Super" were the service providers on hand to help clients make the best financial choices with their refunds - especially those clients who were eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for lower income working families.

HUD, Coastal Enterprises, a local college, and Women, Work and Communities were among the providers assisting clients after pre-screening by "Greeter-Coaches" on how they planned to utilize their returns. Recently divorced women and young families expressed interest in buying their first homes. Several individuals wanted to start small cottage businesses, and most families wanted to learn about Family Development Accounts. Busiest of all was the vendor pulling free credit reports and providing explanations and counseling.

Many of the "Super Saturday" clients reside in subsidized housing or have Housing Choice Vouchers. One woman expressed her appreciation for the two years she had spent in public housing after a divorce. Now on her own with her two kids and paying rent, she was anxious to learn how to build her credit, take First Time Homebuyer Classes, and open a Family Development Account so she could "take the $700.00 I pay in rent and make a mortgage payment with it."

There are free tax preparation sites across the state open till the end of tax season, and there are several regional EITC Coalitions offering services in addition to free tax prep. To find one in your area call 2-1-1 and ask for "FREE TAX PREP."