RALEIGH, N.C., April 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) just completed its tenth season of helping members with their tax preparation needs. From January 19th through the April 18th deadline, SECU tax preparers filed over 109,000 federal and North Carolina state income tax returns, with participating members receiving more than $153 million in refunds and saving an estimated $13 million in tax preparation fees!
Credit Union personnel filed just over 93,000 returns through the free Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. SECU’s Low-Cost Tax Preparation service, an alternative for members whose income exceeds the $54,000 VITA household income limit, also helped over 16,200 SECU members file at a cost of just $75 per return. Between the two programs, SECU assisted participating filers with claiming all eligible tax credits – nearly $61 million, including $38.6 in Earned Income Tax Credits, $19.7 million in Child Tax Credits and $2.4 million in Education Credits.
SECU member Judy Lloyd of Morganton, North Carolina has been using the Credit Union’s tax preparation services for ten years. “Being retired and on a fixed income, I’m glad that I don’t have to pay the high fees charged by other tax preparers. The staff at the Rutherford College branch took their time and helped me find all the deductions I was eligible for, even calling me back to ask if I had paid any car taxes that I forgot to include. I feel like I get professional and friendly assistance and they make the process very easy.”
“Tax time can be stressful for many people and we’re glad that members statewide find SECU’s tax preparation program very convenient and financially beneficial,” said Tenesha Carter, Senior Vice President of SECU’s Tax Preparation Services. “We have a dedicated staff of nearly 3,500 certified tax preparers who work tirelessly to ensure that the filing process is a positive experience for members.”
About SECU
A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for nearly 80 years. The Credit Union also offers a diversified line of financial advisory services including retirement and education planning, tax preparation, insurance, trust and estate planning services, and investments through its partners and affiliated entities. SECU serves 2.2 million members through 257 branch offices, nearly 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Member Services via phone and a website, www.ncsecu.org.