Messiah College students provide free tax preparation and electronic filing
January 25th, 2008
GRANTHAM, Pa. (Jan. 25, 2008) — Messiah College students will help area residents prepare their income tax returns and file them electronically—free of charge—beginning Feb. 4 through April 10 at several local sites. Primarily benefiting the elderly, low-income residents and persons with a disability, the service was created to serve those who cannot afford professional tax help. For more information, please call Gary Page at (717) 766-2511, ext. 2480.
The program, now in its 24th year, is part of the students’ credit for Basic Income Tax Preparation, a course coordinated by Gary Page, associate professor of accounting at the college. Sponsored by the IRS as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, the students are trained to help others prepare federal income tax forms 1040A, 1040EZ and the basic 1040. The students are trained to look for eligible exemptions, deductions and special credits; they will also provide assistance with state and local forms.
Taxpayers interested in this service should bring the following items:
• A copy of last year’s tax return
• Taxpayer’s Proof of Identity
• All forms, W-2, 1098 and 1099
• Information for other income
• Identification number for Child Care Provider
• Information for deductions/credits
• Proof of account for direct deposit of refund (e.g. voided check)
• Social Security and/or ITIN cards for taxpayer, spouse and dependents
The service is available at the following locations from Feb. 4 through April 10 (except from March 17 to 24 when students are dismissed for spring break):
• Mondays, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. — The Evergreen Dining Room of the main building at Messiah Village, 100 Mount Allen Drive, Mechanicsburg
• Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. — The Commons (restaurant area) at Messiah Village
• Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. — Kline Hall of Science, Room 106, Messiah College, Grantham
Messiah College consistently finishes first or second among Pennsylvania colleges in pass rates for the four parts of the national Certified Pubic Accountant (CPA) exam. An average of more than 30 percent of Messiah CPA candidates pass all four sections, surpassing the national average, which is between 12–15 percent.
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 2,800 undergraduate students in 55 majors. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Grantham, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg. A satellite campus affiliated with Temple University is located in Philadelphia.