WATERBURY, CT (March 14, 2022) – Post University is providing free tax preparation for the second year in a row through an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site. The annual free tax preparation service is open to the public and is designed to benefit qualifying taxpayers who earned $66,000 or less in 2021.
Through the VITA program, taxpayers can have Post volunteers prepare and double-check their tax returns for accuracy before filing. Each Post student completed extensive training and put in countless hours to become IRS-certified volunteers. Their goal is to provide qualifying Waterbury taxpayers with a cost savings on their tax preparation.
Virtual help is available, along with in-person assistance at Post University Downtown (140 Bank Street) every Saturday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. through April 9, 2022.
This year’s team includes two of VITA’s founding members, students and alumni from the Post University MSA program, and students in Post’s undergraduate Accounting program:
– Majosefina Jacinto, DM, CPA, MSA program chair
– Robert Shaw (inaugural member), MSA alumnus
– Tanner Carrone (inaugural member), MSA student
– Julia Hudson, MSA student
– Jenna Abeyta, undergraduate accounting major
“We are proud to be offering these services to our students and the public for a second year in a row,” says Dr. Majosefina Jacinto, program chair for Post University’s Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program.” This program has a direct impact on the Waterbury community, and helps our students gain confidence and hands-on experience.”
All returns will be filed electronically unless the IRS requires a manual return. Taxpayers must be available to sign the appropriate forms in the case of joint returns, and tax returns will not be transmitted until after the taxpayer collects the completed return and signs the required permission forms.
In preparing to have taxes completed, taxpayers are reminded to have the following assembled:
- Copies of Photo ID and Social Security cards for themselves and dependents
- Any tax documentation, including all W-2 forms, 1099 forms, Social Security or pensions.
- Education expenses & student loan payments, 1098T
- Payments for childcare. Bring day care provider’s address and tax ID number
- Mortgage 1098 form & receipts of property & car taxes paid
- Mortgage expenses and/or interest paid
- Access Health CT forms, 1095A, copy of health insurance form 1095B or C
- A copy of last year’s state and federal tax returns
Due to limitations set by the federal government, VITA programs cannot help taxpayers who have declared bankruptcy or incurred insolvency during the tax year, have rental property, have a self-owned business with inventory, depreciable property, or which had an overall loss for the year, and certain situations in which a taxpayer has received a forgiveness of debt.
To access the program, taxpayers can visit https://www.getyourrefund.org/postuniv.