Lions learn about taxes
By LESTER MURRAY news2@kilgorenewsherald.com

The Kilgore Lions Club honored Students of the Month and Teacher of the Month for January. (photo left to right) Seniors Sergio Espinoza and Sarah Berryhill with math teacher, Kathy Bowden.

The old saying, "the tax man commeth," held true Thursday at the Kilgore Lions Club as a representative from H&R Block spoke with Lion members.

Frances Brooks, office manager for the Kilgore H&R Block office, said she has been a tax professional for seven years. "I first got into the job thinking I could work a few months a year to supplement my income," said Brooks. "I soon found out, taxes are a year round job."

Brooks said H&R Block has been doing people's taxes for 50 years and last year alone in the East Texas area did over three million tax returns.

This is our busiest time of year, said Brooks. This will continue until the middle of February and things will start to slow down a bit.

Brooks said there are many changes in the tax laws and it is important to speak to someone, whether it is H&R Block or another firm to insure each person gets the return, and deductions they are entitled to.

FRANCES BROOKS

One item in Congress right now is the Alternative Minimum Tax which affects how much taxes you pay if your income exceed a certain amount, said Brooks. "If your income reaches the amount under this law the person pays additional taxes, which can be significant," said Brooks. "Congress recently did a patch job which amends the amount for this year, but does not change the law for the long term."

Brooks said "even if H&R Block does not do your return, we will be glad to answer any questions we can about your taxes."

Tax returns from H&R Block start at approximately $50 and go up from there depending on the complexity of the return.

The store in Kilgore is located at 105 Midtown Dr.

In other business at the Lions, Lion Bobby Wheeley presented the Kilgore High School Teacher of the Month and the KHS Students of the Month to Lion members.

Kathy Bowden, a math teacher at KHS and a teacher for 27 years received the Teacher of the Month honors for January. Sarah Berryhill and Sergio Espinoza were honored as Students of the Month for January.