SBU's VITA in Olean Center Mall
The Bonaventure Accounting Association and Students In Free Enterprise are teaming up again to offer free tax services this season for those who qualify.
The St. Bonaventure University Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program officially opened its tax preparation site at the Olean Center Mall today. The office is located near Subway and JCPenney, and will remain open until the end of March. The St. Bonaventure VITA site is an innovative, high-volume program that operates on an appointment basis, and has the capacity to prepare over 100 tax returns per week during “tax season” 2010.
Operating hours are Monday through Friday at the Olean Center Mall, with morning, afternoon, and evening appointment times available.
On Saturdays in February, volunteers will be at the Franklinville Elementary School on Feb. 6; at the Little Valley office of the Business Development Corporation on Feb. 13; and at the Randolph Free Library on Feb. 20. The Saturday hours of operation are 1-3 p.m., and interested persons are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or (716) 373-0123 to see if they qualify.
To qualify for free tax return preparation and electronic filing, Cattaraugus County workers must have a family income of $49,000 or less. Candidates will go through an entrance interview to see whether they qualify for free assistance. Those who qualify must bring a valid picture I.D., Social Security cards, all W-2 forms, and Forms 1099 to their tax preparation appointment.
Since 2004, the University’s VITA program has brought federal and state income tax benefits to people with low and moderate incomes by providing free income tax preparation and e-filing. The program focuses on workers who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a refundable tax credit available to low- and moderate-income workers with earned income.
VITA students set a new record in 2009, preparing 500 tax returns with $750,000 in tax refunds for local taxpayers, an almost 25 percent increase from 2008. Since 2004, VITA has helped Cattaraugus County residents earn $2.35 million in tax refunds, and prepared 1,500 tax returns.
Accounting majors and alumni from St. Bonaventure University volunteer to make the program possible under the leadership of Dr. Susan Anders, professor of accounting and adviser for the VITA program. Volunteer tax preparers engage in many hours of training and must pass rigorous IRS certification tests. For 2010, 75 percent of the volunteer tax preparers are certified at the advanced level.
The St. Bonaventure VITA program operates in partnership with the Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services and the United Way of Cattaraugus County, which provide resources for the activity.
The Bonaventure Accounting Association provides around 40 volunteer student tax preparers each year, along with experienced alumni and friends of the university. SIFE students handle the marketing and promotions for VITA, as well as client screening and booking appointments.
For more information, contact SBU’s VITA program at 2-1-1 or (716) 373-0123, or visit www.irs.gov.
The St. Bonaventure University Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program officially opened its tax preparation site at the Olean Center Mall today. The office is located near Subway and JCPenney, and will remain open until the end of March. The St. Bonaventure VITA site is an innovative, high-volume program that operates on an appointment basis, and has the capacity to prepare over 100 tax returns per week during “tax season” 2010.
Operating hours are Monday through Friday at the Olean Center Mall, with morning, afternoon, and evening appointment times available.
On Saturdays in February, volunteers will be at the Franklinville Elementary School on Feb. 6; at the Little Valley office of the Business Development Corporation on Feb. 13; and at the Randolph Free Library on Feb. 20. The Saturday hours of operation are 1-3 p.m., and interested persons are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or (716) 373-0123 to see if they qualify.
To qualify for free tax return preparation and electronic filing, Cattaraugus County workers must have a family income of $49,000 or less. Candidates will go through an entrance interview to see whether they qualify for free assistance. Those who qualify must bring a valid picture I.D., Social Security cards, all W-2 forms, and Forms 1099 to their tax preparation appointment.
Since 2004, the University’s VITA program has brought federal and state income tax benefits to people with low and moderate incomes by providing free income tax preparation and e-filing. The program focuses on workers who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a refundable tax credit available to low- and moderate-income workers with earned income.
VITA students set a new record in 2009, preparing 500 tax returns with $750,000 in tax refunds for local taxpayers, an almost 25 percent increase from 2008. Since 2004, VITA has helped Cattaraugus County residents earn $2.35 million in tax refunds, and prepared 1,500 tax returns.
Accounting majors and alumni from St. Bonaventure University volunteer to make the program possible under the leadership of Dr. Susan Anders, professor of accounting and adviser for the VITA program. Volunteer tax preparers engage in many hours of training and must pass rigorous IRS certification tests. For 2010, 75 percent of the volunteer tax preparers are certified at the advanced level.
The St. Bonaventure VITA program operates in partnership with the Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services and the United Way of Cattaraugus County, which provide resources for the activity.
The Bonaventure Accounting Association provides around 40 volunteer student tax preparers each year, along with experienced alumni and friends of the university. SIFE students handle the marketing and promotions for VITA, as well as client screening and booking appointments.
For more information, contact SBU’s VITA program at 2-1-1 or (716) 373-0123, or visit www.irs.gov.
.jpg)
Comments