Rock Hill man wins $1,000 in H&R Block contest

William Helmetag came to H&R Block on Black Street in Rock Hill for two main reasons – he doesn’t know how to do his taxes and he didn’t want to “mess it up and owe the government money.”

He also came because of the efficiency of the H&R Block personnel at the Black Street location. Kristine Pfeiffer did his taxes in about 15 minutes – this year as well as last year.

Helmetag’s 2015 return netted him about a $700 refund – which has yet to come.

His return was one of 1,000 daily winners in H&R Block’s latest nationwide contest, giving Helmetag a $1,000 check – subject to federal and state taxes, of course.

Helmetag, 21, says he doesn’t watch television, so he hasn’t seen the H&R Block commercial for the contest.

He knew he had entered when he filed his return; Pfeiffer had explained that to him. H&R Block personnel are even creating e-mail accounts for filers who don’t have e-mail so they can be eligible for the contest.

When he saw the e-mail from H&R Block, Helmetag said he was too tired to read it. He didn’t open the email until he woke up the next day.

He followed all the instructions in the email, claiming his $1,000 prize Thursday at the Black Street office. He is the first to win from Rock Hill. Another winner is scheduled to be announced Saturday at the Manchester H&R Block office.

When he filed his taxes, Helmetag initially said if he won he would use the money to repair his moped, Pfeiffer said. He has been riding his bike around town and to work at West Marine near Rock Hill High School.

On Thursday, Helmetag said he will use the $1,000 to get a tattoo of a koi fish, a colorful version of the common carp. Koi varieties are distinguished by the coloring and patterns. Some of the major colors are white, black, red, yellow, blue, and cream.

This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 4:22 PM with the headline "Rock Hill man wins $1,000 in H&R Block contest."