Tri-State Tax & Accounting and Refunds USA put the “FUN” in “refund” this past tax season. Each office held a drawing to give away more than $1,000 in prizes.

Tax season can be a dreadful time of year for many, while at the same time a great one for others. Tri-State Tax and Refunds USA always try to make preparing taxes a pleasant experience, but wanted to add a little extra excitement for everyone this year. In order to spice things up, a drawing was created and open for all clients to enter throughout the tax season. After April 15, the winners’ names were randomly drawn.

Many clients were thrilled by the idea of winning a prize in the tax season drawing. Some of the prizes included a free QuickBooks seminar, iPod, many restaurant gift certificates and car washes among others. Two winners were given certificates for a free 2010 tax preparation (up to $100). The grand prize for each office was a compact refrigerator that looked like a real safe with $50 inside. All of the prizes totaled over $1,000 per office.

The grand prize winner of the refrigerator/safe was Curt Clarambeau of Albert Lea and Dawn Ostrander of Wells. Wayne and Patsy Munson of Albert Lea and Sarah Moore of Alden each won a free tax preparation for their 2010 taxes.

Dawn Ostrander, a long time client at Refunds USA, said “I wouldn’t go anywhere else! Refunds USA explains the details, answers my questions and to top it off, they are really nice.” Curt Clarambeau, a business client at Tri-State Tax & Accounting, commented, “I was very excited when I got the call from Jody telling me that I was the grand prize winner. When I went in to pick up my mini refrigerator, I was even more excited to find the $50 inside. Thanks Tri-State for the gift and for the great service I always receive.”

The two businesses are locally owned by David Schreiber, a native of Albert Lea, and his wife Jolinda. They’ve been business owners for the last 27 years and active members in the community. “Every year we try to think of something a little different to show our clients that we appreciate them and to create some fun during the tax season. Our staff actually thought up the idea of the drawing, and it went really well. We’re already planning what we’d like to do next tax season. Our business goal is to give our customers outstanding tax and accounting services but never forget how important they really are to us. The drawing was just one way to make the customers’ trip to our tax offices more enjoyable,” Schreiber said.