NSU-Broken Arrow to offer Free Income-Tax Preparation Assistance

BROKEN ARROW - The Northeastern State University Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is providing free income tax preparation for low-income and elderly taxpayers again this tax season on the Broken Arrow campus for the second year.

The first year was a great success and we decided to offer the program again, said PJ Gorden, instructor of Accounting and program supervisor. The students received valuable experience and the community benefited from our service.

VITA is free to the public and a valuable service to families with a household income of less than $50,000.

Accounting students provide free income tax assistance to people who need help preparing and filing their tax returns. The program is available to residents in the Broken Arrow, Coweta and Wagoner areas. NSUBA has partnered with the Community Action Program and the Internal Revenue Service to provide the best service to the community.

VITA is open Mondays and Tuesdays from 2-5 p.m., Wednesdays from 4:30-8 p.m., and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Building E, Room 118 on the NSUBA campus at 3100 E. New Orleans St. The site will be open through Thursday, April 15. Call 918-486-2471 for an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome.

Certified and trained volunteers can help eligible taxpayers will all special credits, such as the Earned Income Credit.

Anyone interested in the VITA services should bring their W-2s, 1099s, and all other income documents, such as Social Security, pensions and unemployment compensation. Taxpayers must bring a valid drivers license and a copy of their social security cards for themselves and their children. If a married couple is filing, both need to be present to have their taxes prepared.

The VITA Program "e-files" as many returns as possible. Using e-file software eliminates many of the errors associated with paper returns, and with IRS e-file, taxpayers can receive their tax refund sooner than if they mailed their returns. Taxpayers will need to bring their banking information with them to e-file.

For additional information, please call PJ Gorden, instructor of Accounting, at 918-449-6506.

1/8/2008

Published: 2008-01-08 00:00:00