A workshop to help participants understand and file their taxes is scheduled for the January LifeForward workshop hosted by Zonta Club of SCV. The free women’s workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Savia Community Center, 23780 Newhall Ave. The workshop will help participants understand the basis for income taxes, whether they file their own taxes or use a professional.

Presenters will be Laura and David Troost, husband-and-wife Certified Public Accountants. Laura is a specialist in income tax and accounting for individuals and businesses and has more than 16 years of experience. David is a CPA with the firm of BPE&H.

The workshop will help participants understand how income taxes are calculated and help audience members recognize common errors and omissions that could cost them money. The workshop also will provide answers to income tax questions and detail what information an income tax professional needs. The speakers also will help participants understand how to select an income tax professional if they choose not to file their own taxes.

Participants are not required to register in advance, but free childcare is available through Single Mothers Outreach for women who register at least one week in advance at (661) 288-0117 or online at www.singlemothersoutreach.org. Spanish translation also can be provided with advance request. The topic is expected to be a critical one for women who are newcomers to filing their own taxes or who have specific questions they need answered before the upcoming tax season arrives. The topic is a timely one, since many tax issues will be changed by newly passed legislation on the national level.

Previous workshops in the series have helped women select career options and pursue meaningful employment, work on goal setting and time management, deal with anger management, set budgets, deal with drug and cyber bullying issues, establish a career path and get a job, maintain healthy eating and exercise habits, and go after financial support after a divorce. Workshops are designed to help participants believe in their unlimited power and potential, build the skills necessary to succeed, and be the powerful women they are meant to be.

Zonta offers the free LifeForward workshops, usually on a monthly basis (although the series is dark during July and December), in collaboration with Single Mothers Outreach, Domestic Violence Center, Returning Women Veterans and Veterans’ Wives, and the Los Angeles County Department of Child & Family Services serving foster mothers. KHTS AM-1220 is a co-sponsor of the series with Zonta.

Workshops are organized by topics in which women express interest. A schedule of upcoming workshops is posted on www.scvzonta.org for women who are interested in a particular topic. Pre-registration is not required for those who simply wish to attend a workshop, but those who wish to hold a space for the more popular workshops, arrange for child care or obtain further information on the upcoming workshop, can call (661) 288-0117.