2008 Woodie Awards
Program provides free income tax return help to students
Income tax assistance program has served more than 100 people this year.
By Sami Parman
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: News
Originally published: 2/21/08 at 5:32 PM CSTLast update: 2/21/08 at 5:30 PM CST
Tax time for the average student can seem like a daunting task.
Which form to use, how to acquire W-2s, will a check be sent or received?
Free tax help is not far away and along with it answers to all the questions students worry about come tax season.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program provides free income tax return help to singles and families who make up to $45,000 annually.
All returns are submitted electronically and refunds may be received by direct deposit or a check in the mail arriving in an estimated seven to 10 days.
Individuals who wish to use these services must bring a valid drivers license or photo identification, a Social Security card or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) for all members in the family, and all W-2 forms.
If filing jointly, the spouse must bring a copy of the prior year's tax return (if applicable) and 1099 forms (if applicable) such as 1099-G unemployment benefits, 1099-INT interest from the bank, 1099-R pensions, annuities and retirement plans, and bank account information and number for electronic deposit of a refund check.
The VITA volunteers also are on this campus to help students. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Friday in the Susan B. Oppenheimer Education Center, volunteers will help students fill out tax forms.
This is the second year the center has offered help to students and families.
Last year, they helped more than 200-300 people, and this year, the volunteers estimate seeing more, said Jorge Lopez, director of Computer Training Institute and SAC Continuing Education Training Network.
"This year, we've already seen over 100 people," Lopez said.
Each session, on a first-come, first-served basis, takes about 30 minutes for the filer to complete a tax form.
There are four filers on staff and if there is a wait, it is generally no more than 30-40 minutes.
VITA is sponsored by the San Antonio Coalition for Economic Progress and AARP and has more than 31 locations in San Antonio.
Volunteer filers also help those eligible for education credits, Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
Education credits are open to students who pay for a higher education.
This includes colleges and universities that the student, spouse or claimed dependent has attended and can reduce the income tax by up to $4,000.
Items eligible for reduction are tuition and fees required of all students for enrollment at that institution and other expenses that are course related and required of all students in that course of instruction, such as fees, books, supplies and equipment.
Earned Income Tax Credit is a tax credit that is refundable for singles and families who have low income.
The credit lowers the amount of taxes owed and may lead to a refund.
When the credit is more than the amount of taxes owed, a refund is made to those who claim and qualify for the credit.
To qualify, taxpayers have to meet certain requirements and file a return, even if not enough money was earned to file a tax return for this year.
If an eligible person has children, they may qualify for child tax credits worth up to $1,000 per child.
This credit is available if the individual pays for someone to care for a child younger than 13 years of age or for a spouse or dependent that is not able to care for themselves.
Up to 30 percent of these expenses may be credited. To be entitled, the person must have to pay these rates because they are looking for work or are working.
For more information, go to the
IRS Web site at http://www.irs.gov.
Also, visit http://www.students.gov
for tax questions pertaining to students.
Tax assistance centers
VITA locations at this college and surrounding areas:
Susan B. Oppenheimer Education Center, 733-2654, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Friday.
City of San Antonio Personal Family Health Services, 1325 N. Flores, 299-5035, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Guadalupe Community Center, 1801 W. Durango, 352-7000, 1 p.m.- 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, noon-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday.
San Antonio Independent Living Services, 222 S. Alamo (by appointment only), 281-1878, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Friday.
University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway, 829-6000, 10 a.m-noon Saturday.
Services are also available at our sister colleges:
St. Philip's College, 1801 Martin Luther King Blvd., Bowden Building, Room 110, 531-3200, 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.
Northwest Vista College, 3535 N. Ellison Dr. (only through Feb. 28), 348-2020, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
Which form to use, how to acquire W-2s, will a check be sent or received?
Free tax help is not far away and along with it answers to all the questions students worry about come tax season.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program provides free income tax return help to singles and families who make up to $45,000 annually.
All returns are submitted electronically and refunds may be received by direct deposit or a check in the mail arriving in an estimated seven to 10 days.
Individuals who wish to use these services must bring a valid drivers license or photo identification, a Social Security card or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) for all members in the family, and all W-2 forms.
If filing jointly, the spouse must bring a copy of the prior year's tax return (if applicable) and 1099 forms (if applicable) such as 1099-G unemployment benefits, 1099-INT interest from the bank, 1099-R pensions, annuities and retirement plans, and bank account information and number for electronic deposit of a refund check.
The VITA volunteers also are on this campus to help students. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Friday in the Susan B. Oppenheimer Education Center, volunteers will help students fill out tax forms.
This is the second year the center has offered help to students and families.
Last year, they helped more than 200-300 people, and this year, the volunteers estimate seeing more, said Jorge Lopez, director of Computer Training Institute and SAC Continuing Education Training Network.
"This year, we've already seen over 100 people," Lopez said.
Each session, on a first-come, first-served basis, takes about 30 minutes for the filer to complete a tax form.
There are four filers on staff and if there is a wait, it is generally no more than 30-40 minutes.
VITA is sponsored by the San Antonio Coalition for Economic Progress and AARP and has more than 31 locations in San Antonio.
Volunteer filers also help those eligible for education credits, Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
Education credits are open to students who pay for a higher education.
This includes colleges and universities that the student, spouse or claimed dependent has attended and can reduce the income tax by up to $4,000.
Items eligible for reduction are tuition and fees required of all students for enrollment at that institution and other expenses that are course related and required of all students in that course of instruction, such as fees, books, supplies and equipment.
Earned Income Tax Credit is a tax credit that is refundable for singles and families who have low income.
The credit lowers the amount of taxes owed and may lead to a refund.
When the credit is more than the amount of taxes owed, a refund is made to those who claim and qualify for the credit.
To qualify, taxpayers have to meet certain requirements and file a return, even if not enough money was earned to file a tax return for this year.
If an eligible person has children, they may qualify for child tax credits worth up to $1,000 per child.
This credit is available if the individual pays for someone to care for a child younger than 13 years of age or for a spouse or dependent that is not able to care for themselves.
Up to 30 percent of these expenses may be credited. To be entitled, the person must have to pay these rates because they are looking for work or are working.
For more information, go to the
IRS Web site at http://www.irs.gov.
Also, visit http://www.students.gov
for tax questions pertaining to students.
Tax assistance centers
VITA locations at this college and surrounding areas:
Susan B. Oppenheimer Education Center, 733-2654, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Friday.
City of San Antonio Personal Family Health Services, 1325 N. Flores, 299-5035, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Guadalupe Community Center, 1801 W. Durango, 352-7000, 1 p.m.- 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, noon-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday.
San Antonio Independent Living Services, 222 S. Alamo (by appointment only), 281-1878, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Friday.
University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway, 829-6000, 10 a.m-noon Saturday.
Services are also available at our sister colleges:
St. Philip's College, 1801 Martin Luther King Blvd., Bowden Building, Room 110, 531-3200, 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.
Northwest Vista College, 3535 N. Ellison Dr. (only through Feb. 28), 348-2020, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
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