Partnerships office offers free income-tax help

UW–Madison accounting students, faculty and staff are teaming up with retired certified public accountants and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to offer free state and federal income-tax help.

Beginning Saturday, Feb.1, and running through Tuesday, April 15, tax help is available at the UW–Madison Community Partnerships Office, 2300 S. Park St., Suite #9.

The office, which is home to service-learning classes and community meetings, is a participating site in the state revenue department’s Voluntary Income Tax Assistance Program. The program draws on the expertise of volunteers to prepare and submit income-tax returns. VITA volunteers are trained to help taxpayers take advantage of all available tax credits and breaks, and they will electronically file the returns, ensuring quick refunds.

“Last year, we filed more than 1,900 tax returns, helping to return more than $6.4 million to the Madison community,” says Mary Rouse, director of the Morgridge Center for Public Service. “This year, we have more space and hope to file more than 4,000.”

The program is geared toward low-income families, non-English speakers, individuals with disabilities and older adults, but the service is also open to UW–Madison students, faculty and staff, and the community at large. Bilingual preparers will be available to assist Spanish speakers.

To ensure shorter waits, it is important for VITA participants to bring all pertinent tax documents, including, but not limited to: W-2 wage statements, information on other sources of income, interest and dividend statements, deduction and tax-credit documentation, Social Security cards and tuition-payment statements.

Those expecting to claim a Homestead Credit should bring a rent certificate or 2001 property-tax bill, and a record of any W-2 payments received in 2001. Those expecting to receive refunds by direct deposit should bring a voided check or deposit slip. In addition, a complete copy of a 2001 return is helpful. If filing a joint return, both spouses must be present to sign and file the return.

VITA hours from Feb. 1 through April 15 are: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 1-6 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. No reservations are required in most cases, but taxpayers can call 261-5500 to determine whether there is a wait. Spanish-speaking taxpayers should contact Centro Hispano at 255-3018 to schedule an appointment on Tuesdays or Thursdays, days which are reserved for them. On-site childcare is available.

The VITA site is a partnership of the Morgridge Center for Public Service, the School of Human Ecology, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, the Internal Revenue Service and UW-Extension Dane County. Information: 266-2772; http://www.dor.state.wi.us/faqs/vita.html.