Bryan Stalder
Contributor

As the April 15 tax deadline approaches, a familiar storefront along Independence Avenue is doing more than preparing returns—it’s giving back to the neighborhood it calls home.
For Thomas Henggeler, owner of a Liberty Tax franchise at 3414 Independence Avenue, Northeast isn’t just where he does business—it’s where he grew up.
“I wanted to come back to my old neighborhood,” Henggeler says.
That commitment is showing up both in the community and on the soccer field. This season, Henggeler and his team have donated $500 to Ryogoku Soccer Academy, a local program based at Independence Boulevard Christian Church. The funds will provide new jerseys for student-athletes, helping the team look as sharp as they play. Henggeler grew up playing baseball in a Northeast Youth Baseball League.
“Supporting organizations like Ryogoku is about more than just sports,” Henggeler says. “It’s about investing in the kids who live on these same streets where I grew up.”
At the same time, inside the Liberty Tax office, Henggeler and his staff are focused on a different kind of challenge—helping clients navigate an unusual and potentially costly tax filing season.
According to Henggeler, delays in Missouri tax forms earlier this year created complications across the industry, forcing software providers to prioritize federal compliance standards before fully integrating certain state-level credits. One key issue involves the Missouri credit for taxes paid to another state, which in some cases has led to smaller refunds or higher balances due than expected.

The discrepancy was first flagged by Quasheana Bradley, the General Manager at The Independence Avenue Liberty Tax Services whose experience helped the team quickly recognize that something wasn’t adding up.
With more than 50 years of combined experience, Henggeler and Bradley say they began reviewing returns line by line to ensure clients receive every credit they’re entitled to.
“This isn’t just about filing taxes,” Henggeler says. “It’s about making sure people keep every dollar they’ve earned.”
The issue, he notes, isn’t limited to one provider—it’s affecting tax preparation software across the board, meaning filers should take extra care this year, especially if they live or work across state lines.
For Northeast residents who haven’t yet filed, Henggeler encourages acting quickly—whether to submit a return or file for an extension before the April 15 deadline.
Between supporting local youth and helping neighbors navigate a complicated tax season, Henggeler says his mission remains simple: reinvest in the community that shaped him.
“Four quarters make a dollar,” he adds. “And we’re here to help people hold onto every one of them.”