Orange County United Way’s free tax prep service is changing ever so slightly this year, asking participants to first call 2-1-1 to book an appointment.
The nonprofit’s program “United for Financial Security” helps low-income residents in a number of ways, but especially with annual tax returns, which are prepared and filed to the Internal Revenue Service and the Franchise Tax Board. This year, OC United Way is partnering with several organizations, including Goodwill of Orange County, Foster Greatness, and South Orange County Family Resource Center.
The 2-1-1 Orange County (211OC) hotline will help residents book in-person appointments rather than have them show up and wait at various events around the county. Appointments can be made now.
“Transitioning OC Free Tax Prep to our 211OC hotline enables us to pair tax prep assistance with other vital community resources,” said Susan B. Parks, president and chief executive of Orange County United Way.
So, who qualifies for the free service?
Households that earned less than $67,000 in 2024, seniors over the age of 50, those with limited English proficiency, veterans and those with disabilities.
What has changed from past VITA years?
The OC Free Tax Prep Coalition is utilizing 211 as the call center for appointment scheduling. There are no changes to the program — 211 will receive calls and book appointments at various locations. Callers can also request additional resources during the call.
Alternatively, appointments can be booked online at ocfreetaxprep.com.
Will they speak to a live person when calling 211?
All callers will speak with a live 211 information and referral specialist. No calls are automated.
When filing online at MyFreeTaxes.com do you need a password or code to start?
Individuals can visit MyFreeTaxes.com to file their taxes online for free. No password or code is required to start.
Who prepares the tax returns in person?
After booking an appointment, residents will be helped by a volunteer, an IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance preparer files. Tax prep sessions will take place at 35 VITA sites in the county at community centers, churches and schools.
What if I don’t speak English well enough to understand?
OC United Way said the VITA program will have multilingual preparers available at most locations.
Last year, VITA participants prepared 13,629 tax returns with $3.4 million saved in tax preparation fees, OC United Way said. This year, the tax prep program also got additional money from the IRS Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program, allowing OC United Way to expand its free services to older county residents.
For more information about OC Free Tax Prep, go to OCFreeTaxPrep.com. A list of VITA locations is online at OCFreeTaxPrep.com/locations.
Restaurant news last week
Kickin’ Crab opens in Orange: The demise of Hector’s on the Circle in the city’s Old Towne district made way for a new seafood restaurant. The Kickin’ Crab is Cajun inspired. Its debut saw hearty crowds inside the former Watson’s Diner and Soda Fountain. Address: 116 E. Chapman Ave.
Lebanese fare in Costa Mesa: Wally’s Cafe, which specializes in house-made Lebanese food, opened its third location in December in Costa Mesa. Keeling noted in his story that Walid Mater, a native of Lebanon, opened the first Wally’s Cafe in 2007 in the Bay Area. Address: 750 Newport Blvd.
Slapfish exits OC: Slapfish, a fast-casual seafood franchise, shuttered its last Orange County location in January at the Outlets at San Clemente. The Register’s food writer Brock Keeling noted the eatery opened at the retail center in 2016.
On the move
Francene LaPoint is the new vice president of Finance and Business Operations and chief financial officer at Concordia University Irvine.LaPoint got her certified public accountant license in 1998 while working at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Most recently, she was a senior vice president and chief accounting officer at Citizens Business Bank. Concordia is a private, nonprofit Lutheran university.
Michael J. Vaughn is the new corporate executive chef at Pacifica Hotels in Aliso Viejo. He brings 20 years experience working at luxury resorts, hotels, and private clubs. Most recently, he was executive chef at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. In his new role, Vaughn will oversee culinary operations across the hospitality company’s portfolio.
John Sackreiter is the new director of information technology at Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County in Irvine. Previously, he spent 14 years with King’s Seafood Co. in Costa Mesa as its director of IT. “Now more than ever, food banks need to be data informed, data secure and data driven to respond to the elevated need in our community,” said Claudia Bonilla Keller, the nonprofit’s chief executive.
Roland DGA Corp. in Irvine recently made several personnel changes in its sales department. Mike Renna, a 28-year veteran with the company and previously its regional sales manager, was promoted to a new position called strategic sales manager. Kenny Ginn, a field salesperson in the sign and graphics industry for 12 years, is Roland’s new sales manager of digital fabrication. Sean Profera, a sales and marketing expert, is now the company’s Product Experience sales manager. Roland DGA makes wide-format inkjet printers, vinyl cutters, 3D milling machines and other digital technologies.
On board
Pacific Symphony, the resident orchestra at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, recently appointed three new business members to its board of directors. They include Arnold Holland, dean of the College of the Arts at Cal State Fullerton, Patrick Johnson, chief innovation officer and executive chairman of BioPhotas in Tustin, and Yassmin Sarmadi, co-owner of the restaurant Knife Pleat at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.
Gary Green has recently joined the board of directors at Radiant Futures, formerly Women’s Transitional Living Center, in Fullerton. Green is executive vice president of Commercial Banking and a regional director at California Bank & Trust. He’s also worked at Bank of America in its Long Beach Corporate Banking Group. Previously, Green was president and chief volunteer officer for the Boys and Girls Club of Tustin.
Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to sgowen@scng.com . Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.
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