Accounting Students Offering Free Income Tax Return Prep Service

This service is again being provided by College of Management accounting students who have been certified by the Internal Revenue Service to participate in the annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. About 20 students will be providing assistance this year.

The service will be provided on the following Saturdays: Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., in the computing lab, 411 Nelson Hall. Participants are asked to enter the building at the lower level doors on the southwest corner (campus side) of Nelson Hall. Look for signs for the VITA program.

The VITA students have been certified to prepare federal and North Carolina state income tax returns, including helping individuals determine their qualification for Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC). “They will be working with the 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ forms,” said Ernest Carraway, accounting lecturer and faculty coordinator for this service project. The student, however, will not be working with tax return forms for individuals with non-resident status.

In order to determine their eligibility for EITC and to efficiently prepare their returns, taxpayers wanting to use this service must bring with them the following items:

• Photo identification
• Valid Social Security cards for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents
• Birth dates for primary, secondary and dependents on the tax return
• Current year’s tax package, if received

• Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers

Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

• A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
• Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit
• Total paid for day care
• Day care provider’s tax identification number, either the provider’s Social Security Number or the provider’s business Employer Identification Number.

• Other relevant information about income and expenses

Students will not be able to assist individuals who do not have a valid social security number or card. If a Social Security Card has been lost or misplaced, the participant can visit the Social Security Office and request a transcript of their social security card. The Social Security Office can provide the transcript the same day; it can be used when preparing tax returns. To find a Social Security Administration office near you, type in your email address at this website

For summary information about how changes in federal law affects state and federal income tax returns, view this story in the Raleigh News & Observer.