Free tax prep at NSU

(Tahlequah, Okla.)--Tax season is upon us. In order to help area residents with their taxes, representatives of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program are available at Northeastern State Universitys Tahlequah and Broken Arrow campuses.

Federal and state tax forms are prepared for free to people grossing less than $60,000 a year. Volunteers from NSUs College of Business and Technology are certified to prepare basic tax returns. The service, sponsored by NSU and Community Action Resources and Development of Coweta, is open to the campuses and surrounding communities.

By offering taxpayers free preparation assistance, VITA allows us to help the community, said Dr. Justin Halpern, professor of accounting at NSUBA. There are many households whose budgets would be strained by paying the fees charged by professional preparation services.

The service is open on both campuses through April 16, but is closed March 19-24 for spring break. Hours of operation at Broken Arrow are 5:30-8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 1-4 p.m. Saturdays in the Library Building (BALB), Room 118. Visitors can park in the east lots. The service is offered at Tahlequah on Mondays and Tuesdays, 3-6 p.m., in Room 121 of the Business and Technology Building.

Student preparers volunteer their time and receive credit hours in accounting. Each student working for VITA has completed 16 hours of training and passed all required exams.

Our students get practical experience preparing tax returns and a chance to apply what they have learned in the classroom, Halpern said.

Gabriel Stroh, a postgraduate from Indianapolis pursing a second bachelors degree, agreed that real-world experiences enhance his learning.

It is one thing to read about itemized deductions in a book, but it is a completely different process to go through a clients receipts and figure which items qualify for the deduction, he said. "In addition, it gives me the opportunity to converse with the public at large and help them understand the tax preparation process."

Karah Franklin, a senior from Tulsa, said she volunteered to put her knowledge to work for the community.

Our clients are so appreciative of the work we do for them, she said. Its a great feeling to help people. I also think I get more hands-on experience than with an internship, where I may only get to work on part of a return.

Stephanie Weygandt, a Tulsa senior, said an ancillary benefit of VITA was acquiring familiarity with IRS procedure.

It can be scary for people when they are figuring and paying their taxes, Weygandt said. When you're volunteering, doing tax returns regularly and certified by the IRS, taxes arent so scary anymore. I think its most fun when people realize they are getting more money back than they anticipated.

Filers should bring W-2s, W-2Gs, 1099-Rs, interest and dividend statements from banks and any documents stating furnished to the IRS. Also required are a photo ID and physical copies of Social Security cards for filers, spouses and dependents. For direct deposit, account and routing numbers are needed. If applicable, bring a day care providers Social Security or tax ID number. Filers should also bring copies of their 2010 state and federal returns if available.

Confidentiality is maintained with all information supplied. VITA can also file in multiple states and do federal and state e-filing.

Walk-ins are welcome on both campuses, but an appointment can be scheduled at Broken Arrow by calling CARD at 918-486-2471. For more information on the Tahlequah VITA service call Dr. John Yeutter at 918-444-2968.