Free tax preparation services will again be offered this year by IRS-certified accounting students from the UB School of Management. Individuals and families with annual incomes below $51,000 are eligible to participate.

UB employees and students are encouraged to take advantage of this service and to invite their families and neighbors to do the same.

Tax prep services will be offered on UB’s South and North campuses. Community members can come to 100 Allen Hall on the South Campus between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23, and March 1, 2, 8 and 9.

Tax prep will be offered in 106 Jacobs Management Center on UB’s North Campus between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on March 30, April 5, 6, 12 and 13.

Appointments are not necessary as tax returns are prepared on a first-come, first-served basis at both locations. Participants must bring the following:

• Proof of identification (government-issued ID for each adult, such as driver’s license, state-issued ID card, passport, military ID card, etc.)
• Original Social Security card for each filer and dependent (not a photocopy)
• Date of birth for self, spouse and dependents
• Wage and earning statements (Forms W-2 and 1099) from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements (Form 1099)
• Total paid for day care provider and provider’s tax ID number or Social Security number
• A copy of last year's federal and state tax returns, if available
• Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit
• If married filing a joint return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms

This year, volunteers will prepare tax returns only for 2012. The initiative is being led by the UB chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honors organization for accounting and finance students, with help from the UB Accounting Association.

Last year, UB students brought $1.24 million back into the community through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. In all, volunteers have brought nearly $5.5 million in tax refunds back into the community by preparing more than 4,300 returns. More than $1 million of that total has come from the Earned Income Credit, which aids families needing the most assistance.