The Albany County Public Library will host tax professionals who can help low-income individuals file their taxes for free throughout the coming months, as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
The program, which is open to anyone who makes $60,000 a year or less, started this Wednesday and will continue right up until the tax deadline on April 15.
The tax preparers, which include University of Wyoming faculty and other community members, will be at the Albany County Public Library at 310 S. 8th Street on most Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.
Free aid filing taxes is a long-running program in Laramie.
“We’ve been operating here in Laramie since 2005, which makes this our 15th year here,” said Paul Heimer, assistant director of the VITA program and head of the Laramie chapter of the United Way. “We have people who’ve been coming here for 10, 12 years to get their taxes done.”
Experts encourage having taxes done professionally this year, or at least going in for a consultation, since changes to the tax code made in 2017 take effect this tax season.
“We have people who are certified and trained by the IRS, we should have much better understanding of the tax code and how to do returns. We also have access to IRS provided software that allows us to find the latest rates and keep track,” said Heimer.
Darryl Dean, a Laramie resident who’s been using the VITA program for a decade, is a fan of the program.
“It’s free, they do a good job and you can’t expect better than that,” Dean said.
While Heimer and the rest of the VITA staff don’t feel that the changes made to the tax code will be too difficult to deal with this year, but there could be some complications.
“There’s a new tax form, and any time there’s a new tax form, it’ll be confusing,” said Heimer. “As people do their taxes this year, a lot of them are going to be surprised.”
The new tax bill changed the rules governing charitable donations, which could affect anyone who gives money to a religious or charitable organization on a regular basis.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of people that, when they look at their tax return this year, are going to think twice about giving to charity next year,” said Heimer. “In general, I feel that a lot of people were promised stuff, and as they do their taxes this year, some will be confused, some will be surprised, and some will be disappointed.”
The tax experts at VITA are more than prepared to help out-of-state students with their taxes, and the experts can also do past year and amended income tax returns.
The program is first come, first serve, and those participating will need to bring their W-2 form, the Social Security numbers of all members of their family they plan to claim, all other relevant forms like 1098s and 1099s and a copy of their 2017 tax return, if available.
Heimer has one major selling point for the services that VITA provides.
“It’s free,” he said.
