Westminster Accounting Students Provide Free Tax Service

It’s that time of year – tax season! Westminster College’s accounting students are on the front lines again this year filing taxes for free. Check out the details below on how you can have your taxes prepared for free.

When will this service be happening?

The service will be available 5 pm to 7 pm on select Mondays from February to April.

• February: 2, 9, 23
• March: 2, 9, 16, 30
• April: 13

Where will the students be offering this service?

Coulter Science Center 121 on Westminster’s campus. Click here to view our campus map.

Who is eligible for this free service?

• Individuals and families with annual income of less than $50,000.
• International students are also eligible.

What do I bring?

• Photo identification
• Social security cards for you, your spouse, and each of your dependents
• Form W-2 for every job you or your spouse worked during 2014
• A personal check or Routing and Account number for direct deposit
• Your 2013 tax return

PLUS – in 2014, did you…

Receive unemployment benefits? Bring your Form 1099G.

Pay for childcare? Bring the total you paid for childcare expenses and the name, address, and tax ID/social security number of the childcare provider.

Pay student loan interest? Bring the total of the student loan interest you paid.

Pay for tuition? Bring Form 1098 for you, your spouse, and/or dependent children.

Westminster’s history of tax service

When a budget crisis lead the Central Missouri Community Action in Callaway County to cut their free tax preparation service, Westminster students were there to help. Professor Elise Bartley organized a yearly service provided by accounting students to file taxes for a community in need. The service is called VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).

“Our clients would normally pay around $100+ to have their taxes prepared by a paid service, so we are very proud to be saving them so much money,” says Bartley. “The students gain valuable experience.  Many students don’t have the opportunity to work in a client-serving role prior to graduation, this helps them figure out what those kind of interactions might look like when they enter the workforce.”

Visit KOMU News Site for more coverage on Westminster’s program last year and to see a video of students in action.