PEEWAUKEE, Wis. -- In the latest effort to aid low-income taxfilers in avoiding predatory "refund anticipation loans" or RALS,the Wisconsin Credit Union League launched last week a publicservice radio campaign linked to a consumer Web site.

The 15 to 30-second radio commercials carried a tagline ending"brought to you by Wisconsin credit unions."

The tax help campaign for consumers is part of the VolunteerIncome Tax Assistance project being operated by the IRS, theWisconsin Department of Revenue, the league and AARP. In Wisconsin,20 CUs have signed up so far to offer tax assistance with anemphasis on direct deposit and assisting the "unbanked" withsteering clear of RALS.

The commercials advise members to "simply use the credit unionaccount you already have--or open one--to get your tax refund fastand free with direct deposit."

"Two million Wisconsinites have an account at a credit unionthey could use for direct deposit," the ad goes on.

The league said Wisconsin CUs have been volunteering sites forthe public to prepare and file the forms.

"In 2004 alone, refund anticipation loans drained Wisconsin taxfilers' wallets of $32.5 million," noted Brett A. Thompson,president/CEO of the league adding, "that cost was completelyunnecessary."

John Udvare, president/CEO of the $25 million First ServiceCredit Union of Milwaukee, said the tax preparation program, now inits second year at First Service, is working "very well and we'regetting lots more people taking advantage of the service" availabletwice a week through April 15.

First Service has been offering the tax service in conjunctionwith the Social Development Commission, a Milwaukee agency that has15 sites across the city.

The Wisconsin PSA commercials on radio follow a similar campaignand Web site started by the Montana Credit Union Network inDecember. That state's campaign is being run by the Network'scharitable subsidiary under an NCUA grant and through partnershipwith Montana Legal Services Inc.

Montana currently has 10 CU-linked VITA sites now in operation,said a Networks spokeswoman. [email protected]