Tax return preparation is free
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Article RatingFree tax return preparation is available to qualifying families and individuals with incomes below $40,000.
This service is being provided by members of the Shippensburg University Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA is a national program set up by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and sponsored by the Community Action Commission “Money in Your Pocket” Campaign.
The program provides free assistance to low to moderate income individuals and families. Upper-level accounting and business students in the John L. Grove College of Business at Shippensburg University have taken training classes and been certified by the IRS to provide high-quality tax preparation services, including e-filing of both federal and state returns for fast refunds.
Local returns are also prepared.
Deborah Hocking, CPA and Assistant Professor of Accounting at Shippensburg University is the VITA site director.
Confidential
VITA sites throughout the United States provide confidential and quality tax consultation free of charge to those who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Who’s eligible
Eligible individuals include those (generally between the ages of 25-64) without investment income (for example, interest, dividends, pensions, social security, or unemployment) over $2,900 who have earned an income that was equal to or less than the incomes that follow.
* For taxpayers who do not have dependent children, the income limit is $12,590 for a single taxpayer and $14,590 for married taxpayers who are filing jointly.
* For taxpayers with one dependent child, the income limit is $33,241 for a single taxpayer and $35,241 for married taxpayers filing jointly.
* For taxpayers with two or more children, the income limit is $37,783 for a single taxpayer and $39,783 for married taxpayers filing jointly.
The maximum Earned Income Tax Credits go to workers who earned between $12,000 and $14,000. For a worker with no children, the maximum credit is $428. For a worker with one child, the maximum credit is $2,853. For a worker with two children, the maximum refund is $4,716.
Locations
Tax preparation assistance is available from through April 15 from 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Shippensburg Area Senior High School and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays in both the Shippensburg Public Library and the Coyle Free Library in Chambersburg. Walk-ins are welcome.
For more information, go to http://webspace.ship.edu/vita or call the program director, Deborah Hocking, at 860-3164.
What to bring
To get the best service, it’s important to bring information or documents listed below.
* Social Security card or tax identification number (TIN) for you, your spouse, and any others shown on your tax return.
* Copies of all forms W2, 1098 and 1099 and the amount of any other income.
* Federal and state returns from previous years.
* Information with the account and routing transit number of a financial institution in which to deposit your refund directly, if you wish to.
* Form 8332 or a copy of a divorce decree if you are a non-custodial parent claiming a child.
* To claim a credit for child or dependent care, bring the child care provider’s address and tax identification number.
Spouses who file together must bring the information listed above for both.
