As Occupiers Demonstrate for Economic Justice, Tax Accountants Deliver Free Service to Low-Income Residents

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In the wake of the late January “Occupy” demonstrations planned for San Francisco’s financial district, Tax-Aid will once again make its own contribution to equality by providing free tax services to Bay Area residents who can’t afford an expert tax professional or accountant. Golden Gate University (GGU) is lending a big hand again this year.

“The Occupy movement has certainly succeeded in bringing issues of economic inequality to the forefront of national consciousness”

Beginning January 28, Golden Gate University’s School of Taxation and School of Accounting has teamed up again with Tax-Aid and Goodwill to conduct five Saturday sessions where residents can go to file, submit and complete their 2011 tax returns for free (specific location and date details below).

“The Occupy movement has certainly succeeded in bringing issues of economic inequality to the forefront of national consciousness,” commented Mary Canning, Dean of Golden Gate University’s Schools of Taxation and Accounting and a Tax-Aid board member.

Golden Gate University is bringing in alumni, including tax accountants from Big Four, regional and local firms, lawyers, tax faculty, and students to help lower-income Bay Area families and individuals get through another tax filing deadline with ease.

“Golden Gate University and the many volunteers of Tax-Aid are giving their time to make a difference. We are committed to ensuring everyone, regardless of income, has access to the highest-levels of professional services when it comes to the often daunting and arduous process of filing taxes,” added Canning.

GGU proudly joins other institutions, nonprofits, and firms in this year’s Tax-Aid campaign. They include Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc., Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass, LLP, Deloitte Tax, LLP, Ernst & Young, LLP, Fenwick & West, LLP / Association of Corporate Counsel SF Bay Area Chapter, Hemming Morse, Rowbotham & Co., LLP, SingleStop USA, United Way of the Bay Area and KPMG, LLP, Tax-Aid’s foremost and primary sponsor.

“We are grateful to all these talented professionals for their dedicated and skilled participation,” said Tax-Aid executive director, Louise Carroll. “What a tremendous gift to individuals and families who are struggling in the current economy.”

Details: Golden Gate University Supports Saturday Sessions

Saturday sessions will be held at the San Francisco Goodwill located at 1500 Mission Street, between South Van Ness and 11^th Street, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. PT on the following dates: January 28, February 4, 11, and 18. For those who can’t make it earlier, the final Saturday session is on March 31, but note it may be the busiest one too. Tax-Aid operates on a first-come first served basis so clients are encouraged to arrive early.

Last year, approximately 1,200 Tax-Aid and Golden Gate University volunteers helped 4,145 Bay Area families receive more than $4.9 million in tax refunds.

About Golden Gate University

Golden Gate University (GGU), private and nonprofit, has been helping adults achieve their professional goals by providing undergraduate and graduate education in Accounting, Law, Taxation, Business and related areas. GGU is California's fifth-largest private university, enrolling over 5,000 students and representing 67,000+ alumni. The school's main campus is located in San Francisco with additional teaching sites in Seattle and Los Angeles. With specialized internship programs that give students practical, hands-on business experience, GGU’s School of Taxation has earned a reputation as one of the largest and most respected in the nation.

About Tax-Aid

Tax-Aid, a 501(c)(3) public charity, was founded in 1988 by a coalition of Bay Area accountants and lawyers with the mission of assisting, without charge, low-income taxpayers in connection with the preparation of their tax returns. All 2012 Tax-Aid dates/times/locations are detailed here: http://www.tax-aid.org/need-tax-help/ (includes dates when GGU tax experts will be on-site).