News
Monday, February 4, 2008
Free Tax Preparation by Santa Barbara High School’s VITA Tax Preparers
Under the tutelage of teacher Lee Ann Knodel, plus a current and a retired Internal Revenue Service agent, a team of Santa Barbara High School students in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program have become certified community volunteers, trained to provide free tax preparation assistance. Tax season is underway and now every Thursday from 3:30 until 6:00 pm, and by appointment, Room 22 at Santa Barbara High is abuzz with students, low-income, and senior clients benefiting from the expertise of their teen VITA tax preparers. Services are available in English and Spanish.
Santa Barbara High School’s highly successful VITA program was established in 1997. It was the first high school in the nation with its own electronic filing identification number and the capacity to file tax returns from the classroom. The students handle upwards of 600 returns each year, a value of more than $50,000 in free services to the low-income and senior communities. In 2003, VITA clients received $387,868 in refunds and $123,241 in earned income tax credit.
VITA, a Virtual Enterprise class, helps students gain real-life experience in the world of business. Prospective students are recruited from ROP computer accounting classes as well as from the SBHS student body. Students begin training in the fall–using IRS material –to gain certification in time for tax season; returning students, who have been previously certified, polish their skills for the new tax season. In order to gain certification, VITA students must complete a series of three consecutive 3-8 hour Saturday training classes at Santa Barbara City College’s Wake Center, along with the adult enrollees, and pass a test.
Internal Revenue Service agent Orlando Hernandez and retired agent Bob Correa have been working with Ms. Knodel, student coordinator Dee Dee Wei, and the current team to prepare:
- Form 1040 EZ
- Form 1040 A
- With Schedule 1, 2, 3 and EIC
- Form 1040
- With Schedule A, B, EIC and R
- Form 1040-V
- Form 1040-ES
- Form 2441 (child and dependent care credit)
- Form 8863 (education credits)
- Form 8812 (additional child tax credit)
According to Mr. Correa, students interview the taxpayer, gather the information they need, input the data into the computer, and do a diagnostic to make sure that all the forms are properly completed. They then print out a copy for the taxpayer’s records, making sure the paperwork is ready to e-file. Completed forms are transmitted directly to the IRS in Ogden, Utah via IRS e-file, a fast, more accurate, secure, and simple system.
If the taxpayer has a refund coming, students have to ask for the bank’s routing number and verify the account number for direct deposit. If the request for refund is processed in a timely manner, the taxpayer will generally get their refund in about 10 business days, direct deposited in their checking or savings account. When the taxpayer owes money, the VITA student explains to the client their options for payment.
To take advantage of the program, tax preparers need the client’s current year’s tax package and/or label; all forms W-2 and 1099s; information for other income; information for all deductions/credits; a copy of last year’s tax return; proof of account for direct deposit of refund (e.g., voided check); Social Security or Individual Taxpayer Identification cards for the client, his/her spouse, and/or dependents; and proof of identification for client and/or their spouse.
Mr. Correa noted that an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) can be provided to an undocumented worker who does not meet the requirement for a Social Security card but still pays taxes. “Eventually, if the person becomes a citizen and gets a Social Security card, they can go back to the IRS to have the ITIN merged with their Social Security number to get credit for taxes paid, Medicare, and Social Security taxes,” he stated.
Regional Occupational Programs (ROP) are provided through the Santa Barbara County Education Office. These programs offer state-of-the-art occupational training classes to area residents who are 16 years of age or older. All ROP classes count for high school graduation credit and many ROP classes provide students with community college credit. Program graduates receive a certificate that details the occupational skills they have mastered during their course of study. Approximately 3,000 students per year enroll in ROP classes.
Santa Barbara High School is located at 700 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Room 22 is located in the classroom wing to the right of the school’s library. For more information, call the VITA classroom at 963-8597.