Free Income Tax Assistance Service Being Offered at the University of Scranton

Jan 29, 2009

Accounting students from The University of Scranton will assist local residents with their tax returns as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program beginning Feb. 10. The service, offered for more than 20 years, is free for clients with low and moderate incomes who need help with their basic tax returns. Students will assist residents both on campus and at several locations in Lackawanna county.

The VITA service will be offered in room 111 of Brennan Hall, Madison Avenue, on the university’s campus on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Feb. 10 to Mar. 11 and from Mar. 24 to Apr. 3. Hours of service will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays; from noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays; and from 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Service will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and advance appointments cannot be scheduled.

Appointments are required for VITA service offered by University of Scranton students at area community centers. Working with the Tax Assistance Coalition Members, the VITA service will be offered at the Carbondale Senior Community Center on Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Feb. 18 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Mar. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Mar. 30 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VITA service will be offered by appointment at the Valley Community Library in Peckville on Feb. 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Feb. 26 and Mar. 18 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and on Apr. 2 from 4 p.m. to  7 p.m.

VITA service will be offered by appointment at the Taylor Community Library on Feb. 11 and Mar. 11 from 4 p.m. to 8  p.m.; Mar. 16 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and Mar. 25 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VITA service will be offered by appointment at Abington Area Community Library on Feb. 23 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Mar. 2 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Mar. 10 and Mar. 23 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Also, VITA service will be offered by appointment at the North Pocono Community Center on Mar. 19 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call Chris Woronchuk at 346-0759 ext. 108, to make an appointment for any of these sessions.

In addition, a Spanish language interpreter will be available at The University of Scranton’s Brennan Hall for VITA service on Feb. 21 only, and a Russian language interpreter will be on-hand at for VITA service on Mar. 28 only. Appointments are required to arrange for the translator service. Call Catholic Social Service at 207-2283 to schedule an appointment.

People using the VITA service are asked to bring the following items: a valid photo ID; all W2 Forms; all 1099 forms (interest, dividends, pensions); local wage tax forms; Social Security numbers or ITIN for all taxpayers and dependents; W-7 forms if appropriate; last year’s tax returns; information related to income and expenses; real estate tax receipts; and a personal banking account check if you would like direct deposit.

Tax Assistance Coalition Members are The University of Scranton VITA Program, The United Way of Lackawanna County, Catholic Social Services of Lackawanna County, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, the Voluntary Action Center of NEPA, and the Consumer Credit Counseling of NEPA. Tax preparation services are provided by The University of Scranton VITA Program

For additional information, call The University of Scranton at 941-4045.

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