A&M-Victoria to assist community through tax assistance program
As Americas settle into the new year, they once again find themselves on the doorstep of a familiar duty in the form of tax season.
The Internal Revenue Service opened this year’s tax season on Jan. 26, setting a deadline of April 15 for taxpayers to file their federal tax returns. According to the IRS, the revenue service is expected to receive approximately 165 million individual income tax returns this year.
For those who need assistance filing their taxes, Texas A&M University-Victoria is bringing back the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to assist eligible people with their federal income tax returns.
The service is designed to assist individuals and families who meet certain income criteria to file their taxes at no cost.
The program will be available every Wednesday starting from Feb. 4 to April. 8, with hours from 3-6 p.m. inside University North Room 216, 3007 N. Ben Wilson. St. It will be closed for Spring Break on March 18.
“We are happy to help people here with their tax returns,” said Xiaobo Dong, A&M-Victoria associate professor of accounting. “Even if they are not eligible for VITA, if they have any questions about their tax returns, we are always happy to assist them how we can.”
Eligibility and services for the program’s income threshold is set at $67,000 in annual household income. Married couples who file jointly are evaluated on their combined income, Dong said. If that combined amount falls below $67,000, the couple is eligible for free tax preparation assistance.
In addition to the income-based eligibility, VITA also provides services targeted to those with disabilities and to those who face language barriers, Dong said.
Beyond preparing federal income tax returns, staff and volunteers will be on site to answer general tax questions. Danny Chiang, an accounting professor who holds a certified public accountant license, will also be available to help address more complex tax concerns.
Additionally, Chinese-speaking and Spanish-speaking volunteers may be present, depending on scheduling.
Those wishing to take part in the program should bring tax documents, which may include, but are not limited to:
- 2024 tax return, if available
- Social Security cards for the filer, their spouse and dependents, or ITIN assignment letter
- Driver's license or other photo ID
- W-2, W-2G, 1099-G, 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC or Income transcripts from IRS, if applicable
- Self-employed persons should have their income statements ready
- Form 1098-T and Student Fee BilIs
- Form 1099-INT, Form 1099-DIV, (Interest and dividend statements)
- Total paid for daycare provider and provider's EIN
- Form SSA-1099 for Social Security Income
- Documentation of any donations made to U.S. charities
- Form 1098 for interest and property taxes paid on your home or personal property (vehicles) documentation
- Form 1095-A Marketplace Health Insurance
- Health Savings Account Statement (HSA)
- Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit/debit
- Married-filing-jointly: both spouses' presence to sign the required e-filing forms
Questions can be directed to freetaxhelp@tamuv.edu or 281-396-3801.
Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business, Education & Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Natural & Applied Science. A&M-Victoria provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.