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Post University Blog

WATERBURY (February 18, 2021) – Three Post University students are providing free tax preparation through an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site, beginning this month.  The annual free tax preparation service is open to the public and is designed to benefit qualifying taxpayers who earned $57,000 or less in 2020.

This is the first time Post University is participating in the VITA program.  The United Way of Greater Waterbury partners with the Connecticut Association of Human Services (CAHS) to make this program available in the region.

Master of Science in Accounting Program Chair, Dr. Majo Jacinto says qualifying taxpayers rely on VITA as a free, reliable, and trusted source of preparing tax returns. Dr. Jacinto says the University understands firsthand the direct impact and benefits this service has for both taxpayers and students.

“I know this will impact our students in a positive way. They are professionals, and they really gain a lot of confidence and experience when they do this. They practice what they learn while providing a valuable service for qualifying taxpayers through cost savings on tax preparation. MSA graduate students Jillian Crook, Robert Shaw, and undergraduate accounting senior, Tanner Carone are the trailblazers behind this initiative. Each has already generously given up countless hours even during the holiday break, to complete extensive training and testing to be IRS-certified volunteers.”

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many physical VITA locations are not open for face-to-face appointments. The Connecticut VITA coalitions offer clients an opportunity to have their taxes completed for free via a combination of an online form and the telephone. Individuals who qualify for VITA and have access to a smartphone or computer, internet/WiFi, and a valid phone number may take advantage of the online VITA options.  To get started with your tax return preparation, please visit www.getyourrefund.org/PostUniv, or call 211 to be connected with the VITA volunteer in the Waterbury area.

All returns will be filed electronically unless the IRS requires a manual return. All taxpayers must be available to sign the appropriate forms in the case of joint returns. 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 child care. Bring daycare 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, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 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 forgiveness of debt.