Tax services offered to students on MCC campus
Walt Porter
February 1 until April 15 is the time to gather tax information and send it in to the IRS. Several companies to provide tax preparation both on and off campus for students.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Tax Group (VITA) is an outside, mostly government funded, company that has offered free tax preparation and continues to help low-income individuals until the IRS deadline.
Returning taxpayer, Jake Gantt, said, “I could tell that something was wrong,” when describing what it was like when he completed his online tax refund.
“They helped me out and showed me that I did my math wrong. I was a little confused about the 1099 form. if you’re going to be doing your taxes; you want to make sure you’re doing it right,” Gantt said.
Other tax companies charge money for the same services, so referring to the tax group is a cost saving measure.
“Rather than going to an H&R Block and spend fifty bucks. here it’s free,” Gantt said.
Students generally are not aware of this free service.
“Honestly. it’s more of an older crowd. There have been a couple students, but I don’t think a lot of them know,” Jessica Snyder, a volunteer for the company said.
The service is known in the community and it has spread by word of mouth and through mail.
The group has different levels of tax preparers and have different levels of certification: basic service, intermediate, advance, military, Mexico and Puerto Rico tax certification.
Signs held by “lady liberty” will lead you to one of the Liberty Tax Service buildings.
The company opened a location directly north of the Mesa Community College Dobson and Southern campus.
“I think that the online software actually costs more than $50,” District Manager of Liberty Tax Service, Jay Bhakta, said. “One of the things we do in the office is spend a lot of time explaining tax situations . you don’t get that from software.”
There is a form that students need to have filled out to receive some of those tax credits; the 1079-T form can be found in the human resources department.
If the tuition is higher than the amount that they receive from grants and scholarships, students could be eligible for tax credits. If not, however, they will not receive a refund.
Any education expense receipts should be kept to write them off for tax credit.
Students can use their spring semester purchases on to next year’s tax return.
Important forms to bring with you are the W2 forms, 1098-T (tuition payments statement, other out of pocket costs) or the 1098-E (student loan interest statement)and any other education expenses like parking, books etc.
“If it’s your first time filing come in and get free estimates, come in to the office, no obligation on filing,” Bhakta said.
H&R and other competitive tax preparation companies offer varying rates that depend on how complicated the filing is.
“Arizona is one of the states that offer free online software,” H&R Block Tax Professional, Roy Baker said.
For students who want more information on tax preparation visit www.mesaaz.gov/humansvc/EITC.aspx.
