LCC Offering Free Tax Filing Services to Hard-Working Families through Tax Help Colorado Program

(Lamar, Colorado; February 1, 2016)  This tax season, Lamar Community College is partnering with the Denver-based Piton Foundation to help hard-working families become more financially secure by providing free tax preparation assistance through the Tax Help Colorado program. 

Tax Help Colorado will take place during four days in February: February 12-13 and 26-27.  Hours will be 1:00-7:00pm on Fridays and 8:00am-2:00pm on Saturdays.  During this time, IRS-certified LCC students and Tax Help Colorado volunteers will prepare and e-file tax returns free of charge for individuals with household incomes of less than about $53,000 a year.

Tax Help Colorado has a presence on 17 college campuses and operates 26 free tax sites statewide. More than 30% of Colorado families are eligible to participate in the program, which was created to help alleviate the financial burden of tax preparation on families that are striving to achieve financial stability. 

Many of the families that qualify for free tax help are also eligible for valuable tax benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit, and the preparers at LCC’s site specialize in ensuring that taxpayers receive the refunds they deserve. One of the nation’s most successful anti-poverty tools, the EITC helps struggling families make ends meet. In addition, for the first time in 15 years, low- to moderate-income workers can now also claim a state EITC, which is 10 % of the federal EITC. 

The staff and students helped file 67 returns last year, finding a total earned income credit of $52, 122 and a total of $111,887 in refunds.

In 2015, Tax Help Colorado helped nearly 10,800 taxpayers receive more than $20.4 million in tax refunds, including nearly 8 million from the Earned Income Tax Credit. In addition, the program saved lower-income taxpayers nearly $2.8 million in commercial tax preparation fees. 

This free service, which is quick and confidential, will be offered at Lamar Community College on February 12-13 and 26-27 at the Betz Technology Center, Room 230. 

People who are getting their taxes prepared at LCC should bring the following documents:

All W-2, 1099s and other income-related documents.

Proof of mortgage interest, property taxes, daycare payments, college education expenses, charitable contributions, and all other tax-deductible expenses.

For college expenses: In addition to Form 1098T from your college, you must bring your own records of expenses paid for tuition, books, fees and supplies.

To report health coverage, you will need one of the following forms: 1095-A, 1095-B, and/or 1095-C.

If you received a tax credit to lower the cost of paying health insurance, bring form 1095-A, which you received from Connect for Health Colorado.

Social Security cards (or ITINs) for all family members. Photo I.D. for taxpayer required.

A copy of last year’s tax returns, if available.

Bank account number and routing number to direct deposit the refund. With direct deposit, refunds are received in 10 to 14 days.

A list of all the Tax Help Colorado sites, as well as the locations of other free tax assistance sites in Colorado, is available by dialing 2-1-1 (it’s a free call), visiting http://www.piton.org/tax-help-colorado, or finding Tax Help Colorado on Facebook (www.facebook.com/taxhelpcolorado) and Twitter (@TaxHelpCo).

About The Piton Foundation
The Piton Foundation, which is part of Gary Community Investments, is a private, operating foundation established in 1976 by Denver oilman Sam Gary.  We are committed to improving the lives of Colorado's low-income children and their families by increasing access to quality early childhood and youth development opportunities and fostering healthy family and community environments.