Free Help with Tax Returns Available at FRCC Campuses in Fort Collins, Longmont, Westminster
Free help with income tax returns is available at Front Range Community College campuses in Fort Collins, Longmont, and Westminster to families with incomes of less than $49,000.
FRCC accounting students who have been certified by the Internal Revenue Service, as well as other trained volunteers, help prepare the returns.
No matter which campus you choose, remember that the free service is available on a walk-in basis, first come, first served. This is what you should bring:
- Proof of identification
- Social Security cards for the taxpayer(s), spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
- Birth dates for taxpayer(s), spouse and dependents on the tax return
- Current year’s tax package if you received one
- Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2 G, 1099-R from all employers
- Interest and dividend statements from banks (Form 1099)
- Proof of mortgage interest, property taxes, daycare payments, college education expenses, charitable contributions and all other tax-deductible expenses
- A copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available
- Bank Routing Numbers and Account Numbers for direct deposit
- Total paid for daycare for each daycare provider and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number (the provider’s Social Security Number or the provider’s business Employer Identification Number)
- To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
VITA at the Larimer Campus in Fort Collins.
The IRS sponsors the program, which is called VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). Last year, volunteers assisted with more than 175 federal returns that generated more than $300,000 in refunds to taxpayers.
The service will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from Feb. 4 to April 14 in Blanca Peak Building Room 112. Volunteers won’t be available March 10 or 17 when the Larimer Campus is on spring break.
The campus is located at 4616 S. Shields, Fort Collins. Free parking is available.
VITA at the Boulder County Campus in Longmont.
This is the eighth year the Boulder County Campus has participated in the VITA program.
The will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from Feb. 4 to April 14 except for March 17 and March 24 when the campus is on spring break.
Interested tax filers should enter Door 7 of the Classroom Building and go to classroom C1730.
“Last year we helped more than 250 people electronically file their tax returns,” said Deb Craven, chair of the Business Department. “We processed about $435,000 of federal and state income tax refunds to people through electronic filing. This is a lot of money for people who really need it.”
Philip Gay, lead Accounting faculty, will be the VITA site coordinator for the third year. His extensive accounting experience will provide a tremendous public service to the community.
Tax Help Colorado at the Westminster Campus.
Trained FRCC accounting students from the Westminster Campus will prepare and e-file tax returns free of charge for eligible individuals and families on behalf of Tax Help Colorado, a partnership with the Denver-based Piton Foundation.
The service will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays from Jan. 28 to March 4.
Interested tax filers should come to Entrance 7 on the northeast side of the Westminster Campus and go to the study/lounge area on B Level. Numerous IRS-qualified FRCC students, volunteers, and instructors will assist people. Trained student volunteers from DeVry Institute also will assist.
This year, 16 colleges in Colorado are participating in Tax Help Colorado, operating 25 free tax sites. College students have completed a college-accredited income tax preparation class and are certified by the Internal Revenue Service. Last tax season, the program assisted nearly 6,000 lower-income taxpayers file for $11.2 million in refunds. This is the first year the Westminster Campus is participating in Tax Help Colorado.
For more information about the free tax sites, dial 2-1-1. For information about Tax Help Colorado, go to www.piton.org/taxhelpcolorado.
About Front Range Community College
FRCC offers nearly 100 degree and certificate programs from locations in Boulder County, Larimer County, Westminster, and Brighton, and online.
FRCC is a member of the Colorado Community College System, the state’s largest system of higher education serving more than 151,000 students annually. CCCS oversees career and academic programs in the 13 community colleges in Colorado and career and technical programs in more than 160 school districts and seven other post-secondary institutions.
Trying to figure out how to file my taxes from 2010 that I forgot to do..would VITA be able to help with that? Thanks!
Tamara, our Boulder County Campus site in Longmont does 2010 year returns. Please advise our Intake personnel of this need. Our Larimer Campus site in Fort Collins isn’t doing prior-year returns this year, but will consider it for next year. To find other VITA sites, go to http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=253069,00.html. Our Westminster Campus takes part in Tax Help Colorado, and I’m told prior year tax returns may be handled on March 4, the last day of the service, but priority is given to current-year returns.