LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Tax season is underway, but some Latino families in the Las Vegas area say they have questions and concerns before getting started — and trust is a central part of the conversation this year.

Organizers at Southern Nevada Tax Assistance say their goal is to help families file safely and correctly. But this year, they say they are seeing something different: hesitation.

Hesitation and distrust on the rise

Nonprofit organization Somos Votantes, which focuses on helping Latinos in the community, says it is hearing from more families who are unsure who they can trust when it comes to filing.

“That’s why Southern Nevada Tax Assistance — they’re a group of IRS-certified volunteers,” said Angel Lazcano.

Somos Votantes held a free filing event Wednesday to connect families with trusted, no-cost help. Volunteers said the stress of tax season is something many in the community have long felt.

“Personally, growing up, I’ve always heard how much, how stressful it is around this time of year, especially getting closer and closer to tax day,” one volunteer said.

Ghost preparers a recurring threat

That concern is not new. Connie Buckley, founder of Nevada Tax Assistance, said every year scammers known as ghost preparers target people who may not fully understand the filing process or whose first language may not be English.

“They create fraudulent tax returns. People don’t know what to expect on their taxes, so they don’t know that it’s wrong. And then two or three years later, the IRS sends them a letter that says something’s not right here,” Buckley said.

Fears about sharing personal information

For many Latino families, concerns this year go beyond scams, with some expressing fears about sharing personal information when filing.

Buckley addressed those concerns directly. “The recommendation always is — let me put it this way — when you get your tax forms from your employer, like the W-2s, the 1099s, those are also transmitted to the IRS. So the IRS knows that you made money and they are expecting to see your tax return to reconcile that,” she said.

Buckley also warned that choosing not to file can create larger problems. “If you owe taxes, there are a lot of penalties that they will assess against you, against what you owe. And now you’ve got yourself into an even bigger hole than you would have been in if you just filed your taxes when they were due,” she said.

Organizers say that no matter a person’s status, filing taxes remains important, and they want to make sure families can do it safely. Free tax filing help is available across the Las Vegas Valley for those who need it.

Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.

The Nevada Commission on Ethics on Wednesday dismissed a 2023 complaint against Henderson City Councilman and former Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Sheriff Jim Seebock over the use of his police uniform while campaigning for a public office.

The eight-member panel’s decision cleared Seebock of accused violations of the state’s ethics laws.

Commissioners noted that since at least Dec. 21, 2023, Seebock has not been the subject of another ethics complaint that has been reviewed by the commission’s review panel.

The decision was reached through a stipulated deferral and dismissal agreement that also said Seebock has voluntarily sought ethics training and asked the commission for help with ethics questions since becoming a Henderson councilman.

Seebock’s attorney Sam Mirkovich said at Wednesday’s meeting the finding was “absolutely the right one,” and Seebock celebrated the ruling in a statement released by a spokesperson shortly after the decision.

Seebock deferred to the statement when reached by phone Wednesday.

“I want to thank the Nevada Commission of Ethics on their due diligence concerning an ethics complaint filed against me three years ago,” the statement said. “Today’s complete dismissal reflects no violation was ever committed and I stand fully exonerated.”

The Ethics Commission announced in June 2023 that it was investigating the complaint against Seebock, alleging that his campaign sent mail to voters with a photo of Seebock, who retired after 30 years at Metro, in his uniform and badge.

Nevada’s ethics law states a “public officer or employee shall not use the public officer’s or employee’s position in government to secure or grant unwarranted privileges, preferences, exemptions or advantages for the public officer.”

Although the panel had previously cited a 2019 letter sent to the Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association about how law enforcement uniforms could not be used when campaigning, including for one’s self, commissioners on Wednesday pointed to similar cases that have been resolved, including a 2021 complaint against Gov. Joe Lombardo. Commissioners had agreed to delay making a determination in Seebock’s case until those cases were decided, according to the agreement.

The ethics case against Lombardo, who served two terms as Clark County sheriff and was also accused of using his uniform and badge in campaign advertisements, ended in September.

In that case, the governor admitted to a non-willful violation of ethics law and agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty.

Contact Casey Harrison at charrison@reviewjournal.com. Follow him on X, @Casey_Harrison1.

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Professional Firefighters of Nevada took over Fremont Street on Tuesday for the annual St. Paddy’s Day Parade and Firefighter Games, drawing crews from across Southern Nevada for a day of competition and fundraising.

The parade stepped off at noon from the 3rd Street Stage on Fremont Street and marched to the Plaza Hotel and Casino. Bagpipers and fire engines accompanied firefighters along the route before crews moved to the Plaza parking lot for the games.

Once the parade ended, firefighters traded their gear for tug-of-war ropes and wheelbarrows. Event coordinator Nino Galloway said the games serve a dual purpose.

MORE: St. Patrick’s Day bash lights up Fremont Street Experience

“Well, first off, it’s about bragging rights. Secondly, it’s about camaraderie and brotherhood and sisterhood,” he said.

Beyond the competition, organizers said the event has a larger mission. The money raised goes back to support firefighters and their families throughout the state.

“We’ve been around since 2014, and we help firefighters throughout the state of Nevada. It’s a fun event, but it’s also meant to raise some funds that will go back and help Nevada firefighters,” he said.

Those who were unable to attend can find donation information at thepffn.org.

Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.