University Accounting Students Volunteer to Offer Free Tax Assistance to Area Residents

Residents from Lackawanna and Wayne counties with household incomes of less than $54,000 in 2016 can receive free assistance completing their federal, state and local tax returns through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The free service is staffed by University of Scranton accounting students and numerous professional volunteers organized by the University and the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties with the support of several local human service organizations.

Walk-in service without an appointment is available in Brennan Hall on the University’s campus from Monday, Feb. 6, to Wednesday, March 8; and from Monday, March 20, to Friday, March 31, at the following times: Mondays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesdays from noon to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Residents using the VITA service are asked to bring the following items: a valid photo ID; all W2 Forms; all 1099 forms (interest, dividends, pensions); real estate tax receipts for rent/tax rebate; Form 8332 for non-custodial parents; Social Security numbers or Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN) for all taxpayers and dependents; W-7 forms if appropriate; information related to income and expenses (business, rental properties, sale of stocks); a personal banking account check if direct deposit is desired; and any documentation related to health insurance for themselves and anyone on the tax return in 2016, such as Form 1095-A, -B or -C, or paperwork from the Healthcare Market Place. Last year’s tax returns are also requested.

The VITA service is available by appointment only at several locations in Lackawanna and Wayne counties from February through March. Limited appointments are available at some locations at this time. Appointments can be made online at uwlc.net or by calling 570-504-0614.

VITA program partners are The University of Scranton, The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, the Lackawanna County Library System, the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of NEPA and the IRS.

University of Scranton accounting students have participated in the VITA program for more than 20 years.