Tax season is over, and for some less fortunate people this year, a volunteer group was able to make their burden a little less "taxing."
- Vicki McLoughlin volunteers as a Brevard tax preparer
- Some saved thousands on tax returns
- Her organization offers service for free to low-income residents
For the people who helped those save money, the reward is definitely worth the time they give.
"I really enjoy it," Vicki McLoughlin said.
McLoughlin donates her time for the United Way of Brevard County's Volunteer Tax Assistance Program.
"It's a thrill,” she said. "I mean, look at how much we got back for these people."
McLouglin said some people were able to save thousands on their tax returns.
"There's so much people don't know about taxes," McLoughlin said. "We're just trying to do our part in our own little way by helping others with something that we know about."
McLoughlin is a tax prep professional who, along with 61 other volunteers, spent about 7,000 hours between January and mid-April helping to prepare taxes for low-income Space Coast residents.
It was all for free, too.
The complimentary work McLoughlin and others did this season saved a combined $800,000 for taxpayers and also helped to eliminate errors that could have cost taxpayers a lot of money.
McLoughlin said the people they help are even more excited when they find out she and her colleagues are all volunteers.
"They seem to soften their tone a little bit," McLoughlin said. "They say, 'Thank you very much,' and everyone is very appreciative."