LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Beginning in January, free tax preparation assistance is available in Lake County.

Low- to moderate-income households who earned up to $50,000 last year will be able to receive free tax preparation assistance through the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! (EKS) program.

Volunteer EKS tax preparers are IRS-certified, and experts in ensuring clients claim the tax credits they are eligible to receive.

Earn It! Keep It! Save It! (EKS) is a United Way led coalition of organizations in Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino counties that have come together to offer FREE tax assistance at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites.

Each of these partner organizations offers a unique set of services in addition to serving as a VITA site during tax season. EKS has now expanded to include over 20 organizations located within the three counties.

Through the work of dedicated volunteers, $2.4 million in refunds were brought back to the local communities in 2012, with an average refund amount of $1,800.

Lake County sites include Lake County Family Resource Centers in Clearlake and Lakeport.

Call 707-279-0563 for Lake County information and appointments.