Employers and banks across Lee County are issuing W-2s and interest forms in preparation for tax season which ends April 1. One accounting firm in Cape Coral is offering low-cost tax services where a portion of the cost benefits local schools.
J. Brooks & Associates is offering a 10 percent discount on tax returns if a person says he or she is affiliated with the school district — as a teacher, employee, parent or volunteer. Later, the firm will donate $10 from every return to the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools.
Locally, the foundation oversees the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program, Classroom Grants for Teachers, the Partners in Education Program, Take Stock in Children and other programs teaming businesses with schools.
Jerry Brooks, president of the firm, said he has two children in the school system and when the housing bubble burst, he wanted to help the schools from losing funds.
“There has to be a way we can help so we thought about it and came up with an idea,” said Brooks. “If you come in and say you are part of a school, we will give a 10 percent discount on the tax return.”
He said that the average price of a tax return varies depending on income, investments and what company handles your return. A standard return for a person who owns a home, has a W-2 and some interest income will cost approximately $200, he said.
According to the Internal Revenue Service, professional tax services can cost between $200 and $400.
The firm is also working with the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral to provide chamber certificates good for more discounts on tax returns. For $5 or $10, local residents can purchase certificates good for $25 or $50 off of personal or business tax returns.
Chamber certificates can be purchased in the “Accounting, Tax, Bookkeeping Services” category at www.chambercertificate.com.
J. Brooks & Associates is located at 2804 Del Prado Boulevard, S., #109. For more information visit www.jbrooksai.com or call 540-0163.