University of Houston-Victoria brings back tax assistance program
With the festive cheer of the holidays and another year of New Year’s festivities on the books, Americans now find themselves stepping into the annual ritual of tax season.
The Internal Revenue Service opened up the first day of tax filing season on Jan. 27 and has set a deadline of April 15 for most taxpayers to file their personal federal tax returns.
UHV is once again offering the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to support eligible residents in Victoria with their federal income tax returns. The service is designed to help individuals and families who meet certain income criteria prepare and file their taxes accurately and at no cost.
The program, offered in partnership with the IRS, will be open for appointments and walk-in service from Feb. 5 to April 9 on Wednesdays only from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Two locations will be available for those eligible.
The first location will be in Room 216 inside UHV University Center, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St.
The second location will be Room 209 at UHV Katy, 22400 Grand Circle Blvd.
The two locations will be closed for spring break from March 17 to 21.
The program is available to individuals who earn less than $67,000 annually and persons with disabilities, said Xiaobo Dong, UHV associate professor of accounting.
If a married couple file taxes jointly, their combined household income would be considered for eligibility. However, if they file their taxes separately, their individual incomes would be evaluated independently for the program’s $67,000 income limit, Dong said.
“The most important thing is this will allow eligible individuals access to free, accurate tax preparation so people don’t have to purchase tax software,” Dong said. “If for any reason their tax returns require amendment, we will also help them out with that.”
The program also offers assistance for those with limited English proficiency. Chinese-speaking volunteers will be available, and Spanish-speaking volunteers may be present depending on scheduling.
Those coming to the centers should bring tax documents, which may include, but not limited to:
- 2023 tax return, if available
- Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents, or ITIN assignment letter
- Your driver's license or other photo ID
- W-2, W-2G, 1099-G, 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC or Income transcripts from IRS, if applicable
- Self-employed persons should have their income statements ready
- Form 1098-T and Student Fee BilIs
- Form 1099-INT, Form 1099-DIV, (Interest and dividend statements)
- Total paid for daycare provider and provider's EIN
- Form SSA-1099 for Social Security Income
- Documentation of any donations made to U.S. charities
- Form 1098 for interest and property taxes paid on your home or personal property (vehicles) documentation
- Form 1095-A Marketplace Health Insurance
- Health Savings Account Statement (HSA)
- Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit/debit
- Married-filing-jointly: both spouses' presence to sign the required e-filing forms
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.