CYNTHIA BENNETT (on right) is shown here with tax preparer Cathy Snyder (left) at the Battle Ground H&R Block office. Bennett, a Battle Ground resident, was one of three area residents to win $1000 in H&R Block’s recent national Sweepstakes.
BATTLE GROUND RESIDENT Larry Gardner, pictured here on the left with his family and tax preparer Monique Dodge (far right) was one of three area residents to win $1,000 in H&R Block’s recent Sweepstakes promotion.
BRUSH PRAIRIE RESIDENT Michael Torres (center with check) is shown here with his sister Barbara (far left), tax preparer Micki Stauffer (second from left) and sister Hannah (far right).
BATTLE GROUND – H&R Block kicked off the tax season in a big way and three area residents were the happy recipients.
From Jan. 16 through Feb. 15, H&R Block awarded $1,000 to 1,000 people each day. The local Battle Ground office located at 11 NW 12th Ave. (in the Fred Meyer Plaza) received three winners in the Sweepstakes.
According to Kate Nicklos of the H&R Block Battle Ground office, Brush Prairie resident Michael Torres was the first local winner.
“Michael is a young man supporting his family,’’ Nicklos said. “When asked what he was going to do with his winnings, Michael responded, ‘My grandmother thinks I should get a haircut. And I think I'll get an oil change.’ His sisters probably had additional ideas.’’
Cynthia Bennett and Larry Gardner, both from Battle Ground, rounded out the local H&R Block winners.
“Cynthia will be putting her wins into savings,’’ Nicklos said. “Larry is interested in purchasing a bowling ball and toys for the kids.’’
Nicklos said the Sweepstakes provided a fun month for the staff at the Battle Ground office that has served the area for the past 20 years.
“It was as exciting for the staff as it was for the winners,’’ she said. “Of course, the monies will be taxable on next year's tax return.’’
Nationally, H&R Block gave away $1,000 to 1,000 winners for 32 days, for a total of $32 million. This was a national campaign that ran through multiple media sources. Anyone who filed their taxes in a participating H&R Block office by Feb. 15 was automatically entered into the sweepstakes.
“We anticipate the number of winners across the country to reach 32,000, with winners being celebrated in offices across 50 states and Puerto Rico,’’ Nicklos said. “Not only has it been a fun marketing tool, but early filing is a great way to protect against tax refund fraud.
“Tax identity theft is a growing problem, which is very challenging for victims,’’ she added. “In 2013, the most recent year of available statistics, over $5 billion was paid out in fraudulent returns. H&R Block leads the industry in consumer safeguards against tax identity theft fraud, including its latest offering of Tax Identity Shield, which provides access to tax identity restoration assistance.’’
Even for those who don’t win a Sweepstakes, Nicklos said filing a return doesn’t have to be an unhappy experience.
“By encouraging people to file early, we hope we put ‘fun’ back in refund,’’ she said. “So many of the winners across the nation spoke of helping their families and enjoyed a bit of ‘hoopla’ with sparkling cider and a check.’’
For more information, contact Nicklos or other H&R Block staff members at the Battle Ground office at (360) 687-7191.
