NJC’s Tax Help Colorado program returns in 2013

***Press Release***

Services open on Tuesday, January 29^th

Sterling,  Colo. – This tax season, Northeastern Junior College is once again partnering with the Denver-based Piton Foundation to provide free tax preparation assistance to low- to moderate-income families through the Tax Help Colorado program. Beginning Tuesday, January 29^th, IRS-trained Northeastern students will prepare and e-file tax returns free of charge for individuals with household incomes of less than $50,000 a year.

Tax Help Colorado has a presence on 16 college campuses and operates 27 free tax sites statewide. More than 30% of Colorado families are eligible to participate in the program, which was created to help alleviate the financial burden of tax preparation on lower-income households.

Many of these families are also eligible for tax benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, and the preparers at Northeastern’s site specialize in ensuring that taxpayers receive the refunds they deserve. In 2012, Tax Help Colorado helped nearly 7,000 taxpayers receive $13.2 million in refunds.

The service, which is quick and confidential, will be offered at Northeastern  from January 29^th to April 2^nd on Tuesday nights at Phillips Whyman Building, Room 12 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  The students will also be helping prepare taxes on Saturdays, February 9^th and February 23^rd from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Those who want to access this kind of help need to call (970) 521-6637 between 12 noon and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome and will be served on a first-come first -served basis.  There are several trained students in this year’s program that speak Spanish and will be happy to take care of those who need this service.   Overseeing the Northeastern tax site is NJC business professor Deb Walker and long-time accountant Maxine Dennington.

People who are getting their taxes prepared at Northeastern,  should bring the following documents:

·               All W-2, 1099s and other income-related documents.

·               Proof of mortgage interest, property taxes, daycare payments, college education expenses, charitable contributions, and all other tax-deductible expenses.

·               Social Security cards for all family members and a photo I.D.

·               A copy of last year’s tax returns, if available.

·               Bank account number and routing number to direct deposit the refund. With direct deposit, refunds are received in 7 to 10 days.

A list of all the Tax Help Colorado sites, as well as locations of other free tax assistance sites in Colorado, is available by dialing 2-1-1 (it’s a free call), visiting www.piton.org/eitc, or finding Tax Help Colorado on Facebook at www.facebook.com/taxhelpcolorado.

The Piton Foundation sponsors Tax Help Colorado as part of its efforts to help move families from poverty and dependence to self-sufficiency. Piton is a private foundation located in Denver, Colorado. It was established in 1976 by Denver oilman Sam Gary.  The Foundation  teamed up with the Colorado Community College accounting classes to establish this program, giving students an opportunity to learn tax law and the value of community service.