A number of organizations in the Tri-Counties are providing free help with taxes.
One of those is the accounting students from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, who are providing free basic tax return preparation for low and moderate-income taxpayers.
"We prepare Federal and usually California [taxes] but we are also open to preparing other states," said Christine Lebar, one of the directors of the program, which is called VITA – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance - at Cal Poly.
Students prepare basic forms for local individuals and families earning less than $54,000. These include 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 540, 540A, 540EZ and some supporting forms.
She says the program works to help the community, as well as giving the trained and certified students the opportunity to put their skills into practice.
"Students get amazing practice and hands-on experience," she said.
Lebar says everything is reviewed by CPAs and reiterated that the service is provided for free.
Cal Poly’s Orfalea College of Business provides the free tax return preparation assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at clinics in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
Cal Poly’s on-campus VITA clinics will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from February 3 through March 17 on the third floor of the Business Building (No. 3).
No appointments are needed — people will be served on a first-come basis. Community members should arrive at Cal Poly before 1 p.m. to allow sufficient time to complete returns accurately. (See maps.calpoly.edu for campus locations.)
Students will also staff additional VITA clinics at two other Central Coast locations in partnership with the United Way of San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara counties. These include: America’s Job Center of California, 880 Industrial Way, San Luis Obispo (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 3 through March 17) and Allan Hancock College Community Education Center (Building S), 800 S. College Drive, Santa Maria (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, February 3 through March 31 (closed February 17 and March 24)). By appointment only; call 805-922-0329, ext. 105
Those attending need to bring an ID, Social Security card and/or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, last year's return and all recent tax-related documents, including child care expenses and health insurance coverage information.
