United Way offers income tax help service

Tax season is drawing to a close, and all taxes need to be filed by April 17 this year.
For many students, this might be the first year filing taxes alone, but Peggy Hite, accounting professor in the Kelley School of Business, said taxes seem more complicated than they are.

She said most students earn a low enough income that now is the time to learn the basics of filing taxes.

“Do it now while it’s easy because once you get more complicated transactions, your taxes are only going to get more complicated,” she said.

This is because people, as they become older, begin to pay mortgages or take out loans beyond student loans, and those taxes are often calculated differently, Hite said.

She also said it’s beneficial for students to do their taxes themselves while they’re in school because there’s a lot of free assistance available.

“What we have on most campuses are these VITA programs,” Hite said. “We had one on campus this spring. They’ll help you do it and push the button, and you’ll get an eFile.”

VITA stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, and it’s available for low-income members of the Bloomington community, including college students, for free in various locations throughout Bloomington.

Ashley Hall, community initiatives director for the United Way of Monroe County, which oversees the local VITA program, said it’s a useful resource for students and Bloomington residents alike.

“Basically, it helps low- to moderate-income level applicants with their taxes for free,” Hall said. “It’s for folks who are working but maybe aren’t making that much money.”

Hite also said she’s sometimes found students don’t bother to file taxes because they think they aren’t making that much money and that it’s not worth it.

This, she said, is a mistake.

“Students, a lot, I think, just let it slide,” Hite said.

However, for those who don’t file after earning any income, that tax will still be owed every year, plus interest on every year going forward until the tax return is finally filed, Hite said.

“That’s considered fraud when you never report,” she said.

Although the campus branch of the VITA program is now closed for the season, several locations will remain open until April 14. The nearest one to campus is at the Monroe County Public Library at the corner of Kirkwood Avenue and Grant Street.

There is also a self-service help center, which is open from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays through April 12, located at 450 S. Landmark Ave.

“You’re able to work on your taxes yourself, but there’s someone there to answer questions,” Hall said.

So far, Hall said, turnout has been good at the VITA site and that people are still welcome to use the service.

“We had a great year last year,” Hall said. “We filed over 900 returns just at the VITA site, and we’ve already surpassed that.”