Released: March 17, 2004

Free Tax Help Available Through VITA Program

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Tax time need not bring unnecessary expense – low- to moderate-income individuals and families can take advantage of a free income tax preparation service called the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA).

“The VITA program is sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which trains volunteer tax preparers to assist eligible taxpayers,” said Cindy Evans, K-State Research and Extension family and consumer science agent in Shawnee County and volunteer income tax preparer.

Nearly 4,000 Shawnee County residents took advantage of free income tax services last year, she said.

Volunteer tax preparers are trained to focus on the basics: Form 1040EZ; Form 1040A with Schedules 1,2,3 & EIC; Form 1040 with Schedules A, B, C-EZ, D, EIC, R & SE; Form 1040-V; Form 1040 ES; Form 2442 (Child & Dependent Care Credit); Form 8812 (Additional Child Tax Credit); and Form 8863 (Education Credit). Income eligibility for the free tax preparation services may vary by county.

The cost saving adds up. Judy Stengel, senior tax specialist with the IRS who is based in Wichita, Kan., said that the average cost for professional tax preparation is about $100.

“Some tax preparers charge an extra $20 to file electronically and $90 for a refund-anticipation loan,” Stengel said.

“Taxpayers who file electronically and opt for direct deposit usually have their refund in eight to 15 days,” she said.

"Tax returns that are in the system at noon on Thursdays are transferred to a master computer, and refunds are processed a week and a day later. More time is needed for refund checks to reach taxpayers in the mail,” Stengel said.

Other family and consumer science Extension agents trained as VITA volunteers who help staff volunteer sites in their counties are Diane Burnett, Miami County; Susie Latta, Marshall County, and Marilyn Toellner, Sedgwick County. To date, the agents have served more than a hundred taxpayers who range from young parents to a “sharp as a tack” 95-year-old.

Interested persons can contact the county K-State Research and Extension office for a list of VITA sites. For IRS publications, call 1-800-829-3676.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News