Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE

Free Tax Return Preparation For You by Volunteers

Puzzled by the tax law or which credits and deductions to take? Need assistance with your tax return?

You may want to visit the Pittsburg State University volunteer site. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help if you qualify.

Trained student volunteers can help you with special credits, such as Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly for which you may qualify. In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, we also offer free electronic filing (e-filing). Individuals taking advantage of the e-file program will receive their refunds in half the time compared to returns filed on paper – even faster, generally within 7 days, if you have your refund deposited directly into your bank account.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)

The VITA Program offers free tax help to all PSU students, low- to moderate-income (generally, $39,000 and below) people, persons age 60 and older, and military members who cannot or prefer not to prepare their own tax returns. Certified volunteers sponsored by the PSU Business & Technology Department and Accounting Department receive training to help prepare basic tax returns for community members in the region. The VITA site is located in the 1st floor computer lab of Kelce Hall on the campus of Pittsburg State University. For assistance, call 620-235-4920 or 620-235-4561.

VITA SCHEDULE (2008)

Feb 5th 5-9 pm
Feb 12th 5-9 pm
Feb 19th 5-9 pm
Feb 26th 5-9 pm
Mar 2nd 1-5 pm
Mar 4th 5-9 pm
Mar 11th 5-9 pm
Mar 25th 5-9 pm
Apr 1st 5-9 pm
Apr 6th 1-5 pm
Apr 8th 5-9 pm
Apr 13th 1-5 pm
Apr 15th 5-9 pm

Items you need to bring to the VITA/TCE Sites to have your tax returns prepared

Proof of identification
Social Security Cards for you,your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
Current year’s tax package if you received one
Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc, 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
Totalpaid for daycare provider and the day care provider's tax identifying number(the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number)
To file taxes electronically on a married filing joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
College tuition statement (Form 1098)

It is extremely important that each person use the correct Social Security Number (SSN). The most accurate information is usually located on your original social security card. Each year hundreds of thousands of returns are delayed in processing or credit/deductions are disallowed because names and Social Security Numbers do not match Social Security Administration records. To prevent processing delays in paper returns and rejected electronically filed returns, volunteers check the accuracy of each Social Security Number, as well as the spelling of the name associated with the number. If you do not have a Social Security Number for you or a dependent you should complete Form SS-5, Social Security Number Application. This form should be submitted to the nearest Social Security Administration Office.

If you or your dependent is not eligible to get a Social Security Number you may need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

There are payment options available when using IRS e-file.
If you owe, you can make a payment (by April 15) by authorizing an electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit) from a checking or savings account, paying by credit (Discover Card®, American Express®, MasterCard® or VISA® Card), or by check or money order (payable to the United States Treasury)