January 29, 2008

LIVINGSTON, Ala.--The University of West Alabama and the Greene/Sumter Enterprise Community, Inc. are offering free income tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), sponsored by the IRS.
 

Through this program, UWA students and faculty will interview clients and prepare individual state and federal income tax returns at no charge. VITA is designed to help individuals with disabilities or with a low or limited income, as well as non-English speaking and elderly taxpayers.
 

“We encourage people to use this free service offered by the UWA College of Business to the west Alabama and east Mississippi communities,” said Sharon Stipe, UWA assistant professor of accounting and VITA site coordinator. “Please come on campus, and let us help you with your tax preparation and electronic filing.”
 

The VITA clinic will open Thursday, Jan. 24, offering income tax return preparation services every Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and every Thursday from 4-6 p.m. until April 15. Assistance is also available by appointment. The VITA clinic is in Wallace Hall room 214 on the UWA campus.
 

“We just want everyone to know that they don’t have to pay an income tax preparation chain to file their taxes, when UWA offers the same service at no cost,” Stipe said. “Let our faculty and students help you get the refund you deserve.”
 

In addition, the IRS has announced this year that people who work but don’t earn a lot of money may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), as well as free help preparing their tax return. The EITC, the federal government’s largest program benefiting working families, is a valuable but complex tax break for lower income workers.
 

The new maximum credit is $4,716 for a family with two or more children; $2,853 for a family with one child and $428 if there are no children. Contact UWA’s VITA clinic for more information regarding the EITC.
 

The University’s VITA clinic serves primarily residents of Choctaw, Greene, Marengo, Pickens and Sumter counties, but residents of east Mississippi are also welcome.
 

Taxpayers need to bring social security cards for themselves and their dependents, W-2 and 1099 forms, information for other income or deductions and credits, and a copy of last year’s tax return when they visit the VITA clinic.
 

For more information about VITA or to make an appointment, please call the VITA clinic at 205-652-3846 or 205-652-7408.