Come and get your FREE money!

Did you know that you can file your tax return for FREE! Texas A&M International University, in coordination with the Office of Students Affairs, has brought the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) to campus.

 VITA is a program that provides free income tax preparation assistance for people of low income, elderly, disable, and limited English proficiency. Jorge Zazueta VITA Site Coordinator of TAMIU, explains that people interested in filing their income tax with them must bring:

• Proof of identification
• Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter for you, your spouse and dependents
• 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)
• To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

Zazueta also mentioned that people may bring "any type of receipts that they might want to add," to the income tax return of the 2010-2011 tax year.

The operation hours and days for VITA, are every Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Zazueta commented the future possibility of changing the operational hours to provide additional assistance. Zazueta said, "the services are totally free, so people don't have to go and pay to have their income tax filed, and at the same time they are helping TAMIU stand out." He recommends that all students, faculty, and staff file their income tax with them, and promises that the services are done quick and accurate.

Mayra Hernandez, Associate Director for the Student Conduct and Community Engagement for TAMIU, also stated that the program was brought to the university because they "wanted for students to be beyond prepared when they graduate, by not only getting an education, but also getting a new skill." She expressed that with the VITA program, "students are learning tax laws and how to properly file their income tax for themselves, family members, peers, and at the same time saving money."

Hernandez commented that the volunteers are students themselves. These students were trained by IRS representatives, so that they would be well equipped to file for income taxes. She also added that for the security of the people filing their income taxes and the volunteers, all forms are double-checked. Hernandez also explained that there is a representative available at all times in case people or the volunteers have questions, concerns, or doubts when filing an income tax return.

Hernandez highly encourages that all faculty, staff, and students go and file their income tax return with the student volunteers of VITA.

For more information to serve or to file an income tax with the VITA program you can contact the Office of Students Affairs located in the Student Center in room 226 and their number is (956) 326-2280 from Monday thru Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. You may also view the VITA photo gallery to get a glimpse of what is the VITA program like.

 (Evelyn Camero may be contact at evelyn_camero@dusty.tamiu.edu).