Wei Chen “Bruce” Chou, of Kittanning, was the third Kittanning H&R Block client to win $1,000 after filing their taxes.
by Jonathan Weaver
“Beginner’s luck” struck with a local man in a nationwide sweepstakes last week.
“Bruce” Chou, of Kittanning, filed his taxes for the first time at H&R Block a few weeks ago but also received an extra $1,000 back in addition to his refund.
Chou – born in Taiwan – was the third local winner in the tax preparation company’s “1000 Win $1,000 Daily” sweepstakes.
Nationwide, 32,000 taxpaying Americans will win during the first month of the tax season. Anyone who files their taxes in a participating H&R Block office by February 15 can be automatically entered into the sweepstakes. A winner is drawn every day of the promotion and awarded the $1,000 prize.
Chou – who is in his first school year teaching Chinese in the Armstrong School District high schools – said it was easy to file taxes – thanks to H&R Block Enrolled Agent Pam Rupp. Chou was originally recommended to the Kittanning location by a colleague.
“I think it’s very easy. If I did it myself, it would take more than a week to do it, I think,” Chou said.
Chou received his Master’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh after coming to the United States in 2013.
He has both long-term and short-term goals for the winnings.
“I’d like to save it up. I’m looking to buy a house maybe in the future,” Chou said. “It’s (helpful) to cover some bills, though (too).”
Chou is Rupp’s second client who won the $1,000 prize. She saw Chou had won via H&R Block’s website.
“Very exciting,” Rupp said. “And we have a fourth winner (now). That’s pretty amazing.”
That winner, whose name has not yet been released, is expected to pick up their winnings later this week.
Even though Chou won the $1,000 check, the federal government required H&R Block to report the value of any prizes over $600 as additional income. Winners will receive an IRS form 1099-MISC in January 2017.
Since there are two weeks remaining in the sweepstakes, Rupp expected more winners to be named from Armstrong County.
A pair of additional winners is also rumored in the Rayburn Township area.