PNC Accounting Students Offer Free Tax Service

purdue-north-centralStudents from Purdue University North Central tax and accounting classes are again offering free assistance to the public in preparing federal and state income tax returns. This program is designed to provide basic income tax return preparation to individuals with low to moderate incomes, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly.

This is the 26th year that PNC has participated in the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Thanks to support from the La Porte County United Way, the program has been expanded this year to accommodate more clients. This program offers free filing help to individuals and families with Gross Incomes of $53,000 or less. Gross Income is defined as income from all sources. Tax Returns will be prepared for income from wages, salaries, tips, pensions, ordinary interest, dividends, unemployment compensation, or Social Security benefits.

Appointments are required. Appointments will be available from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on all Saturdays from February 14 through March 28 with the exception of March 14. The service will be offered in Room 109 of the Technology Building on the PNC campus.

Due to a recent IRS change, this year tax returns can now be prepared for taxpayers who need to file an Indiana Return, but are not required to file a federal tax return (state only returns).

Thomas Holets, continuing lecturer of Accounting and coordinator of the PNC program, said the student VITA volunteers are prepared to help with basic returns, including the 1040, 1040A, 1040 EZ, and the Indiana IT-40. Returns which include interest and dividend income, Itemized Deductions, Earned Income Credit (EIC), and basic stock and bond transactions will also be prepared. Taxpayers are expected to participate in the IRS e-file program, unless there is a technical reason which prevents e-filing.

The volunteer tax preparers have completed 12 credit hours in accounting, including at least one tax course at Purdue North Central, and passed a rigorous IRS examination on tax rules and filing procedures.

The tax preparation services offered include:
Form 1040 with Schedules A, B, EIC, D, & R
Form 2441 (Child and Dependent Care Credit)
Form 8863 (Educational Credits)
Form 8812 (Additional Child Tax Credit)

Forms that will not be prepared are:
Schedule C (Profit & Loss from Business) (Example Cosmetic Sales or Other Self-Employment)
Complicated & Advanced Schedule D (i.e. Capital Gains & Losses on portfolio Stock Sales)
Schedule E (Rents & Losses)
Schedule F (Farm Income or Income from Rental of Farm Property)
Form 2106 (Employee Business Expenses)
Form 3909 (Moving)
Form 8606 (Non-deductible IRA)
Form 8615 (Minor’s Investment Income)
Form SS-5 (Request for Social Security Number)
Returns for taxpayers that are on active Military Duty
Injured or Innocent Spouse Returns
Cancellation of Debt

Assistance with Health or Medical Savings Accounts (W-2 Box 12 Code W or W-2 Box 12 Code R) is unavailable. It may become available early in March. Please call back to check on availability later in the season.

Students do not prepare self-employment returns (no Schedule C, Schedule SE) this type of income is often reported to on FORM 1099-MISC.

To request an appointment, contact the United Way toll-free at 1-877-502-0700.