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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (Feb. 1, 2012) — Free income tax preparation by highly-trained, IRS-certified volunteers is now available in Washington and Carter counties.
The free tax clinics are hosted by Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), an IRS-sponsored and recommended program that uses highly trained, volunteer preparers to offer free preparation and filing to qualified people, primarily those earning $50,000 a year or less.
The volunteer team consists mostly of Milligan College business students under the supervision of Dr. Harold Branstrator, assistant professor of business administration at Milligan. The volunteers have completed hours of training and are ready to assist taxpayers with returns, including all forms. Taxpayers should bring W-2s, income statements and last year’s return (if available) to their appointment. Returns are e-filed and directly deposited, usually in fewer than 10 days and sometimes in less than a week.
“VITA is a win-win for the community and for our student volunteers,” Branstrator said. “For the taxpayers, this free service is a better option than paying a tax preparation franchise. And by providing this service, Milligan students are able to serve their community and gain hands-on experience to supplement what they have already learned in the classroom.”
This is the fifth year Milligan students have assisted the community with free tax preparation. The outreach effort continues to expand each year.
The free tax clinics will be offered at the following locations and times (appointments are preferred):
MONDAYS:
9 a.m.-noon (2/6-27; 3/12-4/16) — Johnson City Housing Authority, 500 Washington Avenue, Johnson City. Call 423.926.3225 for an appointment.
5-9 p.m. (2/6-27; 3/12-4/16) — Eastern Eight Community Development, 214 E. Watauga Avenue, Johnson City. Call 423.232.2040 or 773.6438 for an appointment.
TUESDAYS:
6-9 p.m. (2/7-14; 2/28; 3/13; 3/27; 4/10) — South Central Elementary, 2955 Hwy. 107, Chuckey. Call 423.461.8676 for an appointment.
6-9 p.m. (2/7; 2/21-28; 3/13-20; 4/3) — West Side Elementary, 2847 Old State Route 34, Limestone. Call 423.461.8676 for an appointment.
WEDNESDAYS:
9 a.m.-noon (2/1-29; 3/14-4/11) — Catholic Charities, 703 East Jackson Boulevard (Highway 11-E), Jonesborough. Call 423.753.3001 for an appointment. Spanish translators available.
5-9 p.m. (2/1-29; 3/14-4/11) — Milligan College, Derthick Hall, Room 109. Call 423.461.8700 for an appointment.
THURSDAYS:
6-9 p.m. (2/2; 2/16-3/1; 3/15; 3/29; 4/12) — Unaka Elementary School, 120 Unaka Drive, Elizabethton. Call 423.461.8756 for an appointment.
6-9 p.m. (2/9; 2/23-3/1; 3/15-22; 4/5) — Cloudland Elementary School, 8540 Hwy. 19E, Roan Mountain. Call 423.461.8756 for an appointment.
SATURDAYS:
9 a.m.-1 p.m. (2/4-3/3; 3/17-4/14) — Grandview Christian Church, 300 University Parkway, Johnson City. Call 423.928.7866 or 773.6438 for an appointment.
For more information, call 423.773.6438 or 461.8756. To learn more about Milligan College, visit www.milligan.edu.