UNT offers free tax preparation

By Mary Gallagher Williams / Contributing Writer –

On the corner of Interstate Highway 35 E and Fort Worth Drive, a dancing Uncle Sam blows kisses to people in a car stopped at the traffic light. Playing peek-a-boo and waving, he grabs the attention of another driver passing by.

Ronald Brown, the bearded Uncle Sam, has worn his signature red and white striped pants and blue tail coat for the past three tax seasons. His job is to attract customers for the Liberty Tax Service on the corner behind him.

Ronald Brown, the bearded Uncle Sam, has danced for Liberty Tax on Fort Worth Drive for the past three tax seasons. (Photo by Corinne Lorence / Contributing Photographer)

For those driving by daily, Brown is a constant reminder to get their taxes done. UNT students have several options to choose from when filing their taxes.

David Peace, a tax preparer for Liberty Tax, said he has already done 15 to 20 tax returns for college students this season.

“If they’re students, I’ll work with them on their preparation fees,” Peace said.

However, this tax season the University of North Texas is offering eligible students a free tax service. The program is called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. The UNT Student Money Management Center and the United Way of Denton County have partnered with the Internal Revenue Service to set up a free tax preparation site on campus.

“The IRS started seeing a trend of eligible households not taking advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC),” said Paul Goebel, senior associate dean of students. “So they created the VITA program.”

Last year in Denton County several million dollars earmarked for the tax credit were not used. People working who do not make a lot of money are eligible to take advantage of this credit.

They could receive as much as $4,500 if they earn $40,000 or less a year. Many UNT students meet this credit eligibility requirement.

International students are not eligible for the program because of the wide array of other tax issues they bring to the table.

“It’s based on IRS regulations,” Goebel said, adding that volunteer tax preparers are not trained in international tax issues.

The United Way provides the center with a trained tax preparation team equipped with laptops and tax software.

Students’ tax returns are filed electronically before they leave. UNT’s goal for the 2010 program is to serve 36 students during the three Tuesday evenings that the program takes place in Chestnut Hall.

“United Way approached UNT through the Student Money Management Center to serve as a host site for VITA,” Goebel said

Goebel said the benefit for students is a “win-win situation,” and that the program also enhances the reputation of the university by partnering with the United Way.

Students can schedule a 30-minute appointment with the Student Money Management Center in Chestnut Hall.

The center has a first-come-first-serve policy for walk-in students, but those with scheduled appointments have priority. Denton’s North Branch Library also has the same free tax preparation available for qualified residents, including UNT students.

Goebel’s advice to students is to start early. “The earlier the better,” he said. Goebel also recommended that students should develop a habit of updating their FAFSA for the next academic year immediately after filing their tax information.

Camille Davis, a political science post-baccalaureate student, said she will not use the service. “I do Turbo Tax,” she said. “I can have my taxes in an hour.”

TAX INFO

Free tax preparation is available for eligible students at Chestnut Hall Suite 313 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (last appointment at 7:30 pm)

Tuesday, February 23
Tuesday, March 30
Tuesday, April 6

Reservations required. Call the Student Money Management Center at 940.369.7761 for an appointment.