Accounting Students Provide Free Income Tax Form Assistance
Senior citizens, low income families and people with disabilities can receive free assistance in preparing their tax returns from Westminster College accounting students this year.
The service will be offered from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. every Monday until April 11 in Room 121 of the Coulter Science Center except for March 28 when the College is closed for Spring Break. Parking is available in the lot north of 7th Street. Service will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis until the site reaches maximum capacity.
Individuals and families with annual incomes of less than $54,000 are eligible for the service. International students are also eligible.
“This service learning experience is wonderful for both the students and the community,” says Professor Elise Bartley, Assistant Professor of Accounting, who is in charge of the Westminster program. “The students receive the hands-on learning experience of preparing tax returns and the individuals who qualify to take advantage of the program benefit greatly from free tax service.”
Those wanting to use this valuable service should bring proof of identification; social security cards and birth dates for themselves, spouses and any dependents; a W-2 form for every job they or a spouse worked during the year; interest and dividend statements from their bank; a copy of last year’s tax returns if available; any other tax forms they have received; and proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit if they wish.
Westminster students volunteering their time for this service include: Carson Butts from Gilbert, AZ; Jordan Daugherty from St. Charles, MO; Brandon Drum from Peoria, IL; Peter Gable from St. Louis, MO; Jay Gilliam from Tebbetts, MO; Andrew Johnson from Fenton, MO; Ethan Lay from Franklin, MO; Ryan Loethen from St. Elizabeth, MO; AC Long from Lees Summit, MO; Ntombi Msubo from Durban, Africa; and Blake Stonecipher from Wildwood, MO.
The program is a part of the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program where IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.
