With the official start of the 2016 tax filing season just days away, Community Income Tax (CIT) is urging independent tax preparers to assess the fees associated with their tax preparation software and consider the alternatives.

The IRS says the tax filing season this year begins on January 19. That’s the day the agency will begin accepting 2015 federal tax returns – whether filed electronically or by mail.

CIT, a low-cost solution to traditional tax preparation software, is an all-inclusive professional tax technology program with unmatched pricing focused on eliminating junk fees in the tax industry. Helping tax offices earn significant savings by reducing operational costs and increasing competitiveness, CIT provides back office systems, support, and a complete tax software suite at an unprecedented flat fee of only $15 for the processing of each e-filed return, including an optional no-cost refund bank product.

“It’s not too late for professional tax preparers to assess their tax preparation platforms and costs this tax season and make a change,” said CIT Founder and President Rob Kluba. “Our goal is to put pricing power back into the hands of the tax professional, eliminating ever-increasing fees by other software providers and banks. Through our relationships with industry-leading companies, CIT brings together the consumer-friendly, professional tax products a tax office needs under one roof for a single low price, including the ability to offer a free bank product with every e-filed return.”

Kluba is no stranger to the tax preparation industry. He founded the Express Tax Service in 1997, and franchised EXPRESSTAX in 2001 overseeing its growth to over 300 locations, and then sold the company to H&R Block in 2006. He has now re-entered the industry with CIT, which empowers independent tax professionals to control their costs and compete with big box tax prep companies.

“I think it’s awesome. With CIT, I see significant savings which helps me compete with large, well-known tax companies,” says Sherman Ledet, owner of SL Accounting and Tax Corp. in Jacksonville. A CIT client since 2000, when he purchased an EXPRESSTAX franchise, he is impressed by what Kluba and his team have accomplished by providing a consumer-friendly service that also benefits the tax office. Ledet further offered, “CIT also provides great service and easy setup - which is critical to a successful tax season. Rob has a clear understanding of the industry. He’s put together a system that benefits the taxpayer and tax preparer. It’s a win-win.”

By harnessing the power of technology, CIT simplifies the office enrollment and setup process, provides cutting-edge software that improves the efficiency of running a tax business and delivers training and support of the tax professionals through a variety of methods including webinars, live chat, videos and social media.

At the heart of CIT’s innovative program and low-cost fee of $15 for each filing are the special relationships CIT has with their partners: TaxAct, provider of easy-to-use and efficient tax preparation software, and Republic Bank & Trust, in Louisville, KY, provider of refund transfer and refund advance products.