NSU partners with VITA to help community prepare taxes

The Northeastern State University campus community and members of its surrounding communities will have the option of obtaining free tax preparation through an NSU partnership with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Volunteer efforts will be available at two locations, the Broken Arrow campus and the Cherokee Nation.

Low to moderate income taxpayers (those with incomes of $60,000 or less) are eligible to take advantage of the service offered at the Broken Arrow campus. Certified, trained volunteers will be available by appointment to prepare basic federal and state tax returns. Trained volunteers will also be available at the Cherokee Nation to assist individuals with incomes of $60,000 or less.

In addition, those who would like to file their own taxes online can access the necessary tax software for free. NSUs partnership with MyFreeTaxes provides easy, self-guided federal and state tax preparation for those with incomes of $66,000 or less. The tax filing software made available by United Way at www.myfreetaxes.com enables individuals who will be able to prepare their tax returns from anywhere there is internet access.

While the central location to receive assistance is at Broken Arrow, the service is not exclusive to those community members.

The tax preparation services began Jan. 28 and will conclude on April 13, with the exception of spring break from March 17-24. The VITA Lab on the Broken Arrow campus is open on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Room 118 of the library. Appointments are strongly recommended and can be made by calling Community Action Resource & Development at 918-486-2471. Walk-ins will be served if time permits.

The VITA lab at the Cherokee Nation will be available for both walk-ins and by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling 918-453-5536. The Cherokee Nation has several different locations available, please call for more details. The Tahlequah location will be open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Feb. 5 through April 10.

Those seeking assistance with tax preparation should come prepared with the following:

• Photo proof of identification
• Physical copy of Social Security Card for you, your spouse and dependents and / or Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
• Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
• Wage and earning statements, Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Form 1099)
• A copy of last years Federal and State Tax returns, if available
• Bank Routing Number and Account Number for Direct Deposit
• Payment made to day care providers including tax identification number of the day care provider (providers Social Security Number or business Employer Identification Number)
• All documents issued that state furnished to the IRS
• Any documents that deal with health insurance coverage, 1095-A, 1099-SSA, exemption certificates, etc.
• To file taxes electronically for married filing joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms