[PHOTOS] Veterans Get Free Tax Help

With just days before the April 18 filing deadline, U.S. veterans got some much-needed tax help on filing their tax returns during a free tax prep event Friday at the East San Gabriel Valley ROP center in West Covina.

War veterans making up to $49,000 were eligible for the free tax help.

Glendora Mayor Pro Tem Gene Murabito, Covina Council member Walter Allen and representatives from the Bob Margett Foundation, Wells Fargo and the IRS were at hand to observe the event.  Murabito also served as a volunteer tax preparer.

The event was coordinated by the East San Gabriel Valley ROP, the Bob Margett Foundation and Well Fargo.

The East San Gabriel ROP had also coordinated weekly Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) for low-income residents of the East San Gabriel Valley.

“This is the only VITA center for this region,” said volunteer Maura Downing-Murabito. “People are definitely being affected by the recession, and this is one way we can help.”

Gabriel Garcia, an Iraq war veteran, was sure to attend the day’s event.

“Being a veteran, this really helps us out,” said Garcia, 50, of La Puente. “It would be very hard for us without it.”