Northern Oklahoma College is providing free basic income tax return preparation for students, NOC employees, and area residents starting Feb. 6 at NOC Tonkawa.
Singles or families making less than $64,000 per year qualify for the free service.
Trained tax preparers from the NOC Business Division and area volunteers will be available for tax assistance beginning Thursday, Feb. 6. Taxpayers also have an option to prepare their own basic federal and state tax return using the free e-filing software.
Cara Beth Johnson, Business division chair said, “This is a great opportunity for our students to provide a community service and gain tax preparation experience.”
The Cultural Engagement Center (CEC) is hosting the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program every Thursday through April 9. The CEC will be closed March 16-20 for spring break and for inclement weather. The CEC is located in the library in the Vineyard Administration/Library building.
Interested parties need to bring a photo ID for all filers; Social Security cards and birthdates for taxpayer, spouse, and dependents; W-2 forms; 1099 forms; receipts for childcare costs, education expenses, and other deductions; checking account and routing number for refund; and 1095-A, -B, or -C healthcare coverage or exemption.
It is necessary to make an appointment by contacting Cara Beth Johnson at 580.628.6340 or carolyn.johnson@noc.edu. Tax preparers are available from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. No drop off’s will be accepted, individuals must be present during tax preparation.
Anna Scott, Title III NASNTI Grant Director, is so appreciative to have NOC and community volunteers assist with the program. “The NASNTI grant supports Native American and low-income student success. This project serves our low-income students as well as area residents,” Scott said.
Barbara Nickles is the VITA site coordinator and NOC students Kelli Dollarhide and Karli Lovelace will assist her in preparing the tax returns. All have taken and passed all the required IRS tax preparer coursework.
Northern Oklahoma College and the IRS are sponsoring the program.
Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services which create life-changing experiences and develop students as effective learners and leaders within their communities in a connected, ever changing world.
Serving nearly 5,000 students, NOC is a public, two-year community college with locations in Tonkawa, Enid and Stillwater. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science. The associate degree fulfills lower-division course work which is applicable towards a bachelor’s degree.
For more information about Northern Oklahoma College or giving to the NOC Foundation, please contact the development office at (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.
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