Tax help available: TSC offers free filing through VITA

A volunteer at the Texas Southmost College VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site helps a client sign in. (Courtesy: Texas Southmost College/TSC)

Texas Southmost College has announced that VITA, its free income tax filing program for residents, is back in action for the current tax season.

VITA stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. TSC partners with the United Way of Southern Cameron County, which began administering the program in 2011. Free tax preparation help through VITA is available to filers who earn $67,000 or less annually.

VITA brings in volunteers from the community and TSC’s accounting technology program to provide assistance at the International Technology, Education and Commerce Center (ITECC) campus, 301 Mexico Blvd. in Brownsville. All volunteers have undergone extension training and certification by the IRS, according to program coordinator and instructor Maggie Solis.

“They are enrolled in a service-learning course which is part of the program, and they have participated in training sessions and classes to get ready for the services,” she said.

VITA volunteers can help filers identify tax credits they may be eligible for, including the Earned Income Credit Tax and the Child Tax Credit.

As an IRS-certified site, the VITA volunteers are able to assist taxpayers who are filing using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), Solis said, noting that TSC’s VITA program has assisted “countless individuals.”

“The student contributions are important because they are adding value to their learning, and they are assisting their community with this free tax services,” she said. “Last year, through the TSC VITA services, the site had over $4.3 million in tax refunds processed. It’s a win-win for both the students and the community.”

TSC’s VITA site at ITECC will operate through April 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eligible individuals seeking assistance may schedule and appointment by calling (956) 295-3761.

It is necessary to bring these items to the scheduled appointment:

>> Valid photo identification;

>> Original Social Security cards for all household members;

>> A copy of the previous year’s tax return (if available);

>> Health Insurance Forms 1095-A (if receiving insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace);

>> Income documents such as Forms W-2, W-2G, and 1099 from all employers and their sources (Social Security, unemployment, pension, etc.);

>> Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099;)

>> Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit of refund;

>> For students with post-secondary tuition expenses or grant income: Form 1098-T;

>> Total paid for daycare provider and provider’s tax ID number;

>> Identity Theft Prevention Pin (if assigned by the IRS); and

>> All other information pertinent to income tax filing.

Both spouses must be present to sign the required income tax returns for Married Filing Jointly status. VITA sites do not prepare Married Filing Separate returns.

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