Tax help available at Rowan

Specially trained and certified students from the Rowan University Rohrer College of Business will help area residents and other students prepare their federal and state income tax returns through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program again this year. VITA volunteers will prepare tax returns from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays from Feb. 5 through April 10 in Rowan's Campbell Library (Room 136), located on Rt. 322 in Glassboro. Additionally, they will offer Saturday sessions on Feb. 23 and March 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (No services will be offered during Rowan’s spring break, March 18 to 22.)

The VITA Program offers free tax help preparing basic income tax returns for low- to moderate-income (generally, $51,000 and less) taxpayers who cannot prepare their own tax returns, as well as for senior citizens, individuals with disabilities and other students.

Those requiring assistance are requested to bring photo identification (valid driver’s license or other government-issued identification); valid Social Security cards for the taxpayer and all persons on the return; the prior year’s federal and state income tax returns; the current year’s tax package, if possible; wage and earning statements from all employers (Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R); interest and dividend statements (Form 1099); bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit; other relevant information about income and expenses; and the total paid for daycare and daycare provider’s identifying number.

No appointments are necessary. Work will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. The Rowan VITA site offers electronic filing.

Rowan’s VITA service is funded in part by a grant from the IRS to the college through the United Way of Salem County, Inc., of which Rowan is a member organization.\

For individuals unable to visit the site or who feel they may prepare their returns on their own, there is a new option.  This year, the Rohrer College of Business also will participate in free assistance through the MyFreeTaxes Partnership, which provides free state and federal tax preparation and filing assistance for individuals with adjusted gross income under $57,000. Tax filing software is provided by H&R Block. To access, go to http://myfreetaxes.com/rowan.

Powered by the Walmart Foundation in cooperation with Goodwill Industries International, the National Disability Institute and United Way Worldwide, the MyFreeTaxes Partnership’s online and in-person tax preparation and filing services have helped 4.5 million families claim nearly $6 billion in tax credits and refunds since 2009. 


The 2013 MyFreeTaxes Partnership campaign, now in its fifth year, provides free tax preparation and filing assistance to individuals and families who qualify in several ways, including through free local tax help centers such as that at Rowan.

For more information, contact info@myfreetaxes.com or Margaret Van Brunt in the Rohrer College of Business at 856-256-4047 or by email at vanbrunt@rowan.edu.

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