Law students and professors at the University of Mississippi are helping make sure that everyone has access to tax preparation assistance with free services for low-income residents in Oxford and Lafayette County.
The School of Law’s Pro Bono Initiative, directed by Deborah Bell, is offering the assistance to taxpayers with household earnings of $57,000 or less in the 2011 tax year.
The program, called Free Assisted Self-Service Tax Preparation, or FAST, allows IRS-certified students and professors to assist individuals with preparing basic tax returns and e-filing. The program includes the use of laptop computers, wireless Internet and professional tax software. Taxpayers will be able to e-file their return and receive their refund generally in less than two weeks.
The FAST service is offered at the Lafayette County-Oxford Public Library from 3 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday through April 17. For convenience, the service will also be open two Saturdays: Jan. 28 and Feb. 4.
“The best thing about the program is that it satisfies a huge need for tax assistance in the Oxford area,” said Emily James, a third-year law student and the FAST site coordinator. “Many FAST-qualifying taxpayers pay for filing assistance and end up in financial trouble because they don’t get the refund they expected. We offer a completely free service so taxpayers can keep the entire amount of their refund.”
Besides benefitting the community, the program provides learning experiences for students, Bell said.
“This program helps the community, but is also a great chance for law students to connect with the community, learn interviewing skills and practice their tax knowledge,” Bell said.
Interested taxpayers must bring the following items for their taxes to be prepared:
– Social Security numbers for everyone claimed on the return
– Valid photo identification
– All income documents, such as W-2s, 1099s, etc.
– For direct deposit, bring a canceled check or bank account routing number and account number
For more information, call the Oxford United Way hot line at 662-236-4251 or visit http://www.facebook.com/OxfordFAST.