Published Saturday, January 30, 2010 12:08 AM

Aggies to aid some taxpayers

By CASSIE SMITH
cassie.smith@theeagle.com

Texas A&M University students will be available to help low-income residents prepare tax returns while earning class credit.

The Mays Business School at Texas A&M University is partnering with the United Way of the Brazos Valley for the second year to provide free tax return preparation to qualifying taxpayers. The students will serve as IRS-certified volunteer preparers for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

Professor Adam Myers said the project gives students an experience they can't get in the classroom while helping low-income residents avoid the cost of having their tax returns prepared professionally.

"The entire community is benefiting, not just low-income people but also businesses are benefiting because with the refunds, the taxpayers will be spending those refunds, possibly saving a little bit, and it will create a stimulating effect in the Brazos Valley economy," he said.

The assistance will be available from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through April 15. Services will be offered at the Center for Regional Services, 3991 E. 29th St., in Bryan, as well as other locations in Bryan-College Station and surrounding counties.

People interested in the program are urged to call 211, and operators will confirm eligibility for the service and provide information about what documents to bring. Appointments are not required, but are recommended.

The students will be earning course credit as they study federal income tax legislation and its impact on low-income taxpayers and the socioeconomic forces impacting low-income families and individuals, Myers said.

"You get to learn a lot about the struggles that low-income people have when you do their tax return and see how much money they make to support a family," he said.

Myers said eligible taxpayers should ensure that they are receiving the earned income tax credit, a benefit intended to help people who work but earn low wages.

The student volunteers will file returns electronically, speeding up the process for refunds, Myers said.

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