With today being the deadline for employers and financial institutions to send out the multitude of tax documents Americans need to complete their tax return, people everywhere are getting ready to do battle with their 1040. With more than 400 new tax laws, it's no wonder Americans are confused about taxes.
A recent survey conducted by TurboTax, America Online and Roper/Starch ASW, found that one third of those responding weren't sure how to make the new tax laws work in their favor. Another one-third said they would seek additional advice this year to help them understand all of the tax law changes scheduled to phase in over the next 10 years. To help taxpayers make the most of these changes, Springboard's Credit.org and the makers of Quicken® TurboTax® have joined together to promote tax education and are making available a free pamphlet and other tax events to help Americans "Get Tax Smart."
The pamphlet, available from Springboard and TurboTax by calling 1-888-509-4212, offers timely, useful and easy-to-understand tax tips and information to help consumers minimize their tax liability and make the most of their tax preparation and planning. The informative booklet contains common tax tips and detailed information on the new tax laws, from now through 2005, so taxpayers can maximize their savings and get their piece of the $1.3 trillion tax cut signed into law last summer. Also included in the booklet are tips on tax savings both before the April 15th deadline and easy-to-follow strategies to help consumers save on taxes year round.
In addition to the free pamphlet, Springboard and TurboTax will offer three one-hour live "Get Tax Smart" chat sessions at Springboard's website (www.credit.org) throughout the tax season. A tax expert from TurboTax will be available to answer simple tax questions free of charge. Please visit www.credit.org for a schedule of the live chats, when it is available.
"Springboard has been at the forefront of helping American's take control of their financial situation and taxes is a big part of that," said Diane Wilkman, co-director of the Get Tax Smart Program and president of Springboard. "By learning all that you can about your personal tax situation, and how you can save on your taxes, you can free up more of your income to pay off high-interest debt and to save toward retirement or other future needs."
"TurboTax has always offered a wealth of valuable tax information to its customers but we wanted to take it even one step further this year because of the sweeping tax law changes," said Monica Mulienberg, co-director of the Get Tax Smart program for TurboTax. "By teaming with Springboard and utilizing its experience in helping consumers learn about their personal finances, we're able to educate more American's about their taxes and show them how they can benefit from the new tax cut."
About Springboard
Springboard is a non-profit agency formed in 1974 by business leaders and credit grantors. The mission of Springboard is simple, yet vital: To offer education on the wise use of credit and to serve as an alternative to bankruptcy. Springboard is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, Inc. Springboard offers a wealth of services to consumers who are experiencing financial difficulty and want to regain financial freedom. Their most requested service is credit counseling.
