Tax season can be a daunting time of year for credit unionmembers. Some, who view their annual refund as a much-needed sourceof extra cash, want to maximize their refund opportunities. Others,who owe taxes, may be wondering how they'll afford payments. Toensure the process runs smoothly regardless of a member'ssituation, many credit unions are stepping up to help.

State Employees' Credit Union, a $23.7 billion CU based inRaleigh, N.C., for example, has partnered with the North CarolinaDepartment of Revenue and Office of State Personnel to offermembers an individual income tax debt payment loan. The loan, whichthe CU is offering in conjunction with the North CarolinaDepartment of Revenue's Individual Income Tax Debt Relief Program,gives qualifying members a 5% interest rate plus a waiver of anypenalties and fees associated with their tax debt, which can equalup to 35% of their total debt.

“Resolving past due tax liens can have a highly positive impacton the credit standing of a member, often resulting in lower creditcosts, lower costs for insurance, housing and medical services, andimproved employment opportunities in a difficult economy,” saidSpencer Scarboro, senior vice president of loan originations forSECU.

SECU members can apply for the tax debt payment loan at anySECU branch or online. The loan will be available through April30.

While this is the first year for SECU to offer a tax debtpayment loan program, the CU has been helping members file theirtaxes for the past five years. SECU branches have served asVolunteer Income Tax Assistance sites, and the CU has offeredmembers a low-cost tax preparation service program.

Meanwhile, credit unions such as the Ferndale, Mich.-based,$739.4 million Credit Union One are helping members take advantageof tax credits. For the second year in a row, Credit Union One isoffering “Just File It!”–a free, Web-based, state and federal taxpreparation program that allows members to file for oftenoverlooked tax credits, such as the credit for child and dependentcare expenses, the education credit for those paying post-secondaryeducation and credits for energy-saving improvements made to a mainhome.

The program, which can be accessed through the credit union'swebsite, poses questions to members and includes an online chatservice. Credit Union One President/CEO Gary Moody said 361 membersused Just File It! last year and received a total of $481,809 infederal tax refunds and $92,811 in state tax refunds.

“Providing access to free online tax services that assurelower-income members receive earned income credits and other stateand federal tax credits is of tremendous value,” Moody said.“Statistics prove that most filers are not aware of these creditsor do not know what to do to get them. This service allows for freee-filing and determines what credits the filer is eligible for, sowe save the member time and money, and they become more educatedabout their finances and taxes.”

The following credit unions also announced they're providingmembers and communities with tax help this year.

Like Credit Union One, Public Service Credit Union, a $132.4million CU based in Romulus, Mich., is offering members online taxpreparation help via Just File It! software.

The St. Louis-based Electro Savings Credit Union, which hasassets of $139.7 million, is partnering with nonprofit organizationGateway EITC Community Coalition to assist low-income families thistax season. Representatives from Electro Savings CU will be presentat the Ferguson Municipal Library in Ferguson, Mo., on Saturdaysalong with GECC through April 14 to open free checking and savingsaccounts for tax filers with no minimum balance requirements. Newaccount holders can then receive direct deposits of their taxrefunds within seven to 10 days. GECC offers free tax preparationservices to families that earn less than $50,000 per year.

The $1 billion Oregon Community Credit Union of Eugene, Ore., isparticipating in AARP's Tax-Aide program by donating a meeting roomand equipment. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.through April 14, including Saturday, April 14, the credit union'sSouth Eugene branch will serve as an AARP Tax-Aide site. TheTax-Aide program is intended to assist low-to-moderate incometaxpayers with their tax preparation and helped produce more than$6 million in tax relief and refunds for residents of Oregon's LaneCounty last year, the CU said.

GFA Federal Credit Union, a $345 million, Gardner, Mass.-basedCU, has brought in Ameritax's Joe Giannotti, enrolled agent, forthe 17th year in a row to provide full-service tax preparationservices for members at a 10% discount. GFA FCU said members whoprefer to file their taxes independently can access TurboTax Onlinethrough its website.