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from the issue of January 31, 2008
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Tax-prep site files 60 returns in first 3 days
UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Emily Kennedy was among the first local taxpayers to take advantage of UNL's first free tax preparation session on Jan. 26 in the East Union.
| | TAX FILERS - Volunteers assist Lincoln-area taxpayers during Student Involvement's first Volunteer Tax Income Assistance session, Jan. 26 in the East Union. Photo by Troy Fedderson/University Communications.
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The single mother and UNL senior dietetics major has had her federal and state income tax forms completed through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance service in each of the last four years - the last two on campus. While Kennedy is quick to praise the service, she wondered if it was worth a few hours waiting.
"I decided to call (a national firm) and see how much it would cost to have my taxes completed," Kennedy said. "They told me, based on my limited information with two W2s, that it would take $225 to get my taxes done.
"I never realized what a big chunk of change it helps me save. This free service is wonderful."
UNL is one of 12 Lincoln coalition partners providing the free tax prep service for low-income working families. Through March 2, UNL will offer 21 free VITA sessions, including tax preparation, child care, snacks, parking, and access to banking services for utilizing direct deposit.
In its second year, the UNL program is a community/campus collaborative effort to increase the financial security of working families and create ties between curricular and co-curricular programming. Student volunteers complete tax law and Taxwise training in their free time to become certified tax preparers.
"Other organizations across campus have been involved as VITA sites through the years," said Linda Moody, assistant director for Student Involvement. "But, last year Student Involvement had a service learning initiative aimed at bringing UNL and the community closer together in areas of social needs."
Student Involvement worked locally with the Human Services Federation, Center for People in Need and the IRS to establish the new VITA site.
Last year, more than $3.8 million in tax dollars were returned to low-income families because of the volunteer efforts of Lincoln's Family Economic Security Partnership Coalition. The coalition seeks to increase the impact of the Earned Income Tax Credit. Coalition partners raise awareness for eligible families and offer free tax preparation and tax credit financial consultation to recipients.
In 2007, about 70 UNL students participated. UNL conducted 48 hours of free tax preparation, child care and on site financial consultation, resulting in the filing of 123 tax returns and $120,000 in tax credits for some of Lincoln's low-income working families.
The first three sessions this year - Jan. 26-28 in the East Union - drew 68 taxpayers, with 60 finished tax returns submitted.
"If it continues the way it has the first three sessions, we will probably end up with double, if not triple the returns we completed a year ago," Moody said.
Sessions continue in the East Union through Feb. 10, Mondays through Thursdays, 5 to 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. Sessions in the Nebraska Union are Feb. 24 to March 2, Mondays through Thursdays, 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 1 to 8 p.m.
Other UNL organizations that also offer tax preparation service include the Association of Students at the University of Nebraska, the NU Law College and International Studies.
For more information, go to http://involved.unl.edu/EITCinfo or contact Linda Moody at lmoody2@unl.edu or 472-2454.
Project seeks more volunteers
Student Involvement continues to seek volunteers for UNL's Free Tax Preparation days.
"It's too late for volunteers to actually help file returns, but we still need people to help with childcare, serve as interpreters and greet our clients," said Linda Moody, assistant director for Student Involvement.
For more information, contact Moody at lmoody2@unl.edu or 472-2454.
GO TO: ISSUE OF JANUARY 31
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