WCC students volunteer at tax assistance sites

Submitted by Waubonsee Community College

In these trying economic times, everyone can benefit from maximizing their tax refund, but many cannot afford to hire a tax professional to help them do it. Fortunately, Waubonsee Community College can help. This tax season marks the college’s eighth as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site.

Last year the college’s students and volunteers completed more than 1,500 tax returns, refunding more than $1.3 million to low- to moderate-income individuals and families in the community.

Beginning Jan. 28, tax assistance sessions will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays at the college’s Aurora campus, 18 S. River St. The sessions run through April 14, but the site will be closed on March 14 and 17. At these sessions, Waubonsee students and volunteers help prepare tax returns and file them electronically, including the 1040 Schedule C form that small businesses use. Families can also get help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance.

Eligible for assistance are families with annual incomes of less than $50,000, and individuals with annual incomes of less than $25,000. People seeking tax help should bring a copy of their 2010 tax return, if they have one; W-2 forms and 1099s from all 2011 jobs; Social Security cards for all family members; and a photo ID.

For more information on Waubonsee’s tax assistance sessions, call the college’s VITA line at (630) 466-7900, ext. 2992, or email VITA@waubonsee.edu. For more about the Center for Economic Progress, visit economicprogress.org.