For the sixth year, Adams State University School of Business and Trinidad State Junior College Valley Campus are partnering with the Denver-based Piton Foundation to help hard-working families become more financially secure by providing free tax preparation assistance through the Tax Help Colorado program. Beginning January 28, IRS-certified Adams State and TSJC Valley Campus students will prepare and e-file tax returns free of charge for individuals with household incomes of less than about $52,000 a year.
Tax Help Colorado has a presence on 18 college campuses and operates 29 free tax sites statewide. More than 30 percent of Colorado families are eligible to participate in the program, which was created to help alleviate the financial burden of tax preparation on families that are striving to achieve financial stability.
Many of the families that qualify for free tax help are also eligible for valuable tax benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit, and the preparers at ASU and TSJC Valley Campus sites specialize in ensuring that taxpayers receive the refunds they deserve. One of the nation’s most successful anti-poverty tools, the EITC help struggling families make ends meet.
In 2014, Tax Help Colorado helped nearly 10,400 taxpayers receive more than $20.5 million in tax refunds, including nearly 7.8 million from the EITC. In addition, the program saved lower-income taxpayers nearly $2 million in commercial tax preparation fees.
This free service is quick and confidential.
From January 31 through March 16, Adams State’s free tax site is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. every Saturday; and from 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. every Monday, in the Business School lobby, Third St. and Richardson Ave.
From January 28 through March 25, TSJC Valley Campus free tax site is open every Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. in room 216, located at 1011 Main St. The site will be closed on March 18. Also, the site will be open from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28.
This year, there will be a site available at Centauri High School in La Jara. The site will be open from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. every Tuesday from February 3 through February 24, as well as March 3, March 10, March 17 and March 31. The site will also have Saturday hours from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on February 7, March 14 and March 21.
People who are getting their taxes prepared and ASU and TSJC Valley Campus should bring the following documents:
All W-2, 1099s and other income-related documents.
Proof of mortgage interest, property taxes, daycare payments, college education expenses, charitable contributions and all other tax-deductible expenses.
For college expenses: In addition to Form 1098T from your college, you must bring your own records of expenses paid for tuition, books, fees and supplies.
Social Security Cards (or ITINs) for all family members. Photo I.D. required.
A copy of last year’s tax return, if available.
Form 1095-A if you or any member of your household got tax credits to pay for health insurance.
Bank account number and routing number to direct deposit your refund. With direct deposits, refunds are received in 10–14 days.
A list of all the Tax Help Colorado sites, as well as the locations of other free tax assistance sites in Colorado, is available by dialing 2-1-1 (it’s a free call), visiting http://www.piton.org/tax-help-colorado, or finding Tax Help Colorado on Facebook (www.facebook.com/taxhelpcolorado) and Twitter (@TaxHelpCo).
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