Tax deadlines and free assistance in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif.

The deadline to file your taxes is at 11:59 pm on Monday night.

There's been a steady flow of customers at H&R Block throughout Saturday, but workers expect a much bigger crowd Sunday and on Monday.

John Dervin paid a service this year and was surprised to learn he got some cash back after filing his tax returns.

Dervin said, "Hey, I'll take one dollar over no dollars," as he chuckles.

Dervin said he plans on spending the money he gets back on bills, including a car payment or the grocery bills.

Packages here at H&R Block start at about $40. The firm's staff members say sometimes when you pay a professional you can end up getting more money back.

Debbie Deacon of H&R Block says "There are some credits that people typically miss when they make their own return. I can think of the education credit, the adoption credit, some medical expenses. Typical things people don't think about when they do their actual return."

This year, many filers received assistance at the Fresno County Public Library. They took advantage of the free volunteer income tax assistance service known as "Vita," provided by The United Way. Mattie cook was one of them.

Cook said, "You have your W-2's and they fill out your forms for you and they make it very simple for you because you don't have to rack your brains to figure it out."

Experts say there's one major reason many people wait till the last minute every year.

United Way Volunteer Maria Aguire said, "I think it's because they're scared because they owe and a lot of them have misplaced their income information or their retirement information."

You can get help with your tax returns at The United Way Center on Kings Canyon Avenue in Fresno, starting at 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday. That event is free.

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