Tax preparers sponsored and supported by the $27 billionState Employees' Credit Union helped almost 91,000 NorthCarolina taxpayers save roughly $11 million in tax preparationfees. Those taxpayers also claimed more than $123 million inrefunds, the second largest credit union reported Friday.

SECU offered both free tax preparation help through the IRSsponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, as well as taxpreparation assistance to North Carolina residents who did notqualify for VITA.

Taxpayers must earn less than $52,0000 per year to qualify forVITA, the credit union said.

SECU filed 80,000 returns through the VITA program, 12,000 morethan last year, and 10,500 returns for residents who did notqualify for VITA. Those taxpayers were asked for a fee a of$75 for the service, SECU reported.

The credit union also helped members claim $54 million in taxcredits for which they were eligible, including $34.2 million inEarned Income Tax Credits, $17 million in Child Tax Credits and$2.5 million in Education Tax Credits, SECU added.

“I have used SECU's tax preparation service for the last fewyears and it has been a wonderful experience,” SECU member BrianWilner said. “The staff at the Morganton – Carbon City Road branchmakes me feel at ease and are very thorough in asking questions andgoing over the return with me to make sure I am getting all of thedeductions and credits for which I am eligible. The credit unionhas saved me over $200 per year in preparation fees from what Iused to pay. The service gets better each season and I plan tocontinue using SECU to prepare my taxes every year.”