New Book Assists Tax Preparation Offices inOvercoming Hurdles to Serving Hispanics

Released on = November 28, 2004, 9:46 pm

Press Release Author = TRC Publishing

Industry = Management

Press Release Summary = Foreign born Hispanics are underserved in the tax
preparation industry due to lack of education and language barriers. Tax Preparation
companies need guidance in effectively reaching and serving this market segment.

Press Release Body = Out of the 39.9 million Hispanics currently in the United
States, an estimated half of those adults are foreign born. For many immigrants,
American systems can be confusing and overwhelming. Most are actually unaware that
they can and should file taxes. Some of these immigrants work in the U.S illegally
and assume that they are not eligible to file. Others rely on word of mouth to
assist them in navigating the confusing process. Language is often a barrier in
getting assistance with tax related questions and answers. Unfortunately, tax
preparation offices often lack bilingual staffing, detailed knowledge of ITIN
filing, and have trouble with issues pertaining to multiple names or invalid social
security numbers. These hurdles have led to an incredibly underserved Hispanic
market. Blaire Borthayre is a consultant in the field of Hispanic marketing and
author of the recently released Marketing to Hispanics: A Comprehensive Guide for
Tax Preparation
Offices from TRC Publishing. The book is an in depth approach that includes
staffing, public relations, tax law, marketing and culture.

Ms. Borthayre also works as a volunteer advocate in the Hispanic community and
researched the tax preparation industry for two years before writing the book.
“Standard tax preparation advertising does not address concerns of foreign born
Hispanics even when the information is translated into Spanish” says Ms. Borthayre.
“What is a W-2? Can I file at any time of the year? Can I claim my family that
lives in Mexico? Why should I file?” are all common questions. According to
Borthayre, many tax preparation companies have been caught off guard by the
tremendous surge in the Hispanic population and have unanswered questions about how
to handle issues uncommon to the American born consumer.

Apparently, some of the bigger companies agree. H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt and
Liberty Tax Service have all purchased the book and hired Ms. Borthayre to speak and
train about the topics covered. According to Margie West, Senior Director of
Marketing for Jackson Hewitt:

“With Blaire Borthayre's vast and personal knowledge of the Hispanic culture,
she empowers her audience with enthusiasm and passion. Her book has enabled
us to expand our Hispanic client base and gain insight into a whole new
sector of our business."

Liberty Tax Service has opened a Hispanic Services Division based entirely on the
concepts in the book. Danny Hewitt, Director of Franchise Marketing for Liberty Tax
Service says “This book is a must have for tax preparation offices. We provide a
copy to every franchise owner along with a compliance checklist. We are very
committed as a company to effectively serving the Hispanic community in a holistic
way.”
Copies of Marketing to the Hispanic Community: A Comprehensive Guide for Tax
Preparation Offices can be ordered at www.trainingresourceclinic.com.

Web Site = http://www.trainingresouceclinic.com

Contact Details = Contact: Blaire Borthayre
Company: Training Resource Clinic
Phone: (919) 785-1565
Email: bborthayre@bellsouth.net