Tax season is here, and Scottsdale Community College is offering free, basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing for the community. 

Eligible participants include those generally with annual income less than $60,000, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own returns, a press release stated.

An IRS-certified volunteer will be available to meet on the SCC campus from 4 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays (Jan. 30 to April 12) and 9  a.m. to noon on Saturdays (Jan. 28 to April 8) in the Business Building, Room 103. Appointments are required.

What to bring:

• Proof of identification (photo ID)
• Social Security card and those for all dependents or ITIN
• Birth dates for all dependents
• Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R,1099-Misc) from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
• A copy of last two year’s federal and state returns, if available
• Proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit such as a blank check
• To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms
• Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number such as their Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number
• Forms 1095-A, B or C, Affordable Health Care Statements

All volunteer tax preparers are certified by the Internal Revenue Service as part of the U.S. government’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, the release noted.

Dr. Bill Wyngaard oversees the free tax preparation services. He is also residential faculty at SCC, directing the enrolled agent program and courses.

“Preparing one’s own tax return can be time-consuming, and many people simply need additional assistance to do it correctly,” Wyngaard said in the release. “SCC is a natural fit to perform this activity given the instructional expertise we deliver to students seeking a career as enrolled agents and IRS authorization.”

SCC’s Enrolled Agent certificate program helps to prepare students for the Enrolled Agent Examination. The IRS Enrolled Agent credential allows tax practitioners to represent taxpayers before the IRS when it comes to collections, audits and appeals.

Enrolled agents’ expertise in the continually changing field of taxation enables them to effectively represent taxpayers at all administrative levels within the IRS, the release stated. Students who successfully complete this certificate program may also seek employment as tax preparers.

For information, contact Wyngaard at 480-425-6912 or email william.wyngaard@scottsdalecc.edu.