Leeds offers volunteer income tax assistance for low-income community residents

For the 10^th straight year, the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder is proud to offer free tax preparation services to taxpayers with household income of $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Leeds students who have passed an IRS certification exam will help prepare tax returns for these qualified taxpayers. To ensure accuracy and completeness, all student-prepared tax returns will also be reviewed by community volunteers who are experienced in tax law.

Students receive valuable experience preparing tax returns, working directly with taxpayers. This hands-on work experience is well received by potential employers, and participating in the VITA program gives students an opportunity to perform a much-needed community service.

Last year, Leeds School students prepared more than 400 tax returns and obtained $368,000 in total refunds for taxpayers. The students also placed an extra $120,000 into the local economy through total earned income tax credits for families.

The program runs through April 10 in room 375 at the Leeds School/Koelbel Building (across the street from the CU Events Center) on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, see times listed below. Tax filings are done on a first-come-first-served basis with no appointment. Due to the limited staffing and high volume of taxpayers, we recommend you arrive as early as possible.

This year, Leeds will offer the Facilitated Self Assistance program (FSA), which provides taxpayers the option of preparing their own tax returns with assistance from the IRS-certified volunteers at CU Boulder VITA, using interview-based IRS tax software. The FSA option is also a free e-file tax preparation service. 

When:

Wednesdays 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Saturdays 9 am–1:00 pm
Feb. 2-Apr. 10

Where:

Room 375
Koelbel Building, 995 Regent Drive, Boulder
Free parking is available only in the parking garage across the street from the Koelbel Building.

Eligible taxpayers should bring the following to the tax site:

• Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Notices/Cards for the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s spouse, and/or dependents
• Photo identification for the taxpayer (and the taxpayer’s spouse, if married and filing jointly; both spouses must be present)
• All Form W-2s and Form 1099s and other income-related documents
• Proof of mortgage interest, property taxes, daycare expenses (including provider’s tax ID number), college education expenses (e.g., Form 1098-T), and all other deductible expenses
• A copy of last year’s federal tax return
• Proof of account for direct deposit of refund (e.g., voided check)
• Proof of foreign status if applying for ITIN