Free Tax Preparation Offered at Crafton Hills College

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, sponsored by the Accounting program at Crafton Hills College and the Internal Revenue Service, provides free tax preparation services to individuals and families earning less than $54,000 a year who need assistance in preparing their own returns. VITA volunteers are CHC students who have completed a rigorous IRS-sponsored training and are certified by the IRS to provide basic income tax assistance to qualified individuals, including United States Veterans. Electronic filing is available free of charge. The VITA site will be open Saturday mornings, 9 a.m. to Noon in the Learning Resource Center (LRC), Room 137 through April 16. No appointment is necessary and free parking is available in Lot N. On Saturday, March 12, the college will host Super Tax Saturday. The special event is sponsored by the California State Board of Equalization and is the only such event being held in San Bernardino County. Additional volunteers will be on hand that day to assist taxpayers with their returns. VITA volunteers will also provide assistance to taxpayers at locations throughout immediate area up through this year’s April 18 tax deadline. On Friday, March 11, the VITA site will travel to the Scherer Senior Center. Volunteers will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to prepare returns for seniors and other qualified taxpayers. The Scherer Senior Center is located at 12202 First Street in Yucaipa. Taxpayers should bring the following items to the VITA site to receive assistance on their returns: • Proof of identification – Picture ID *Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents (REQUIRED) or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter for you, your spouse and dependents and proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN. • Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return • Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers • Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099) • A copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available • Proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check • Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number (the provider’s Social Security Number or the provider’s business Employer Identification Number) Proof of health insurance coverage, Form 1095 and/or other proof of health insurance coverage. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) mandates individual health insurance coverage and requires the IRS to collect information regarding coverage for each individual included on a return. Beginning this year, coverage providers are required to send member proof of coverage in the form of an IRS Form 1095-A, 1095-B or 1095-C. It is extremely important that each person use the correct Social Security Number. The most accurate information is usually located on your original Social Security card. If you do not have an SSN for you or a dependent, you should complete Form SS-5, Social Security Number Application. This form should be submitted to the nearest Social Security Administration Office. If you or your dependent is not eligible to get a Social Security Number, you may need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).