Contact: Melissa Reifert
January 12, 2007

MECC Offers Free Tax Assistance

Do the tax laws, credits, and deductions puzzle you?  Free help is available through VITA, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, sponsored again by Mountain Empire Community College for the 2006 tax year.  Help with basic income tax returns will be offered on Wednesday nights from 5:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., beginning on February 7 and continuing through April 11 by MECC Accounting students trained by the Internal Revenue Service and Professor Jim Bates, C.P.A.  No class will be offered on March 14, which is spring break.

VITA offers free assistance to those with special needs, including persons with low and moderate incomes, persons with disabilities, non-English speaking persons, and older taxpayers who file Form 1040EZ, Form 1040A, or a basic Form 1040 Federal tax return.  Taxpayers who use this service should bring this year’s tax package, wage and earnings statement (Form W-2) from all employers, interest statements from all sources (Form 1099), a copy of last year’s tax return, if available, and other relevant information about income and expenses. 

Online filing will be completed while you are present.  If you have a refund and wish to have it directly deposited in your checking account, information from one of your checks will be needed (bank routing number and checking account number).

This MECC service learning activity is being offered to those taxpayers with AGI of $39,000 or less, who reside in the MECC service region, which includes Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson Counties and the City of Norton. Call Professor Jim Bates at (276) 523-2400, extension 241 to set up an appointment.

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