SCRANTON — Accounting students from The University of Scranton will assist local residents with filing their federal, state and local tax returns as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The students, joined by numerous professional volunteers organized by the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties with the support of several local organizations, will provide the free service to residents of Lackawanna and Wayne counties with household incomes of $56,000 or less for 2019.

Residents using the VITA service are asked to bring the following items: a valid photo ID; all W2 Forms; all 1099 forms (interest, dividends, pensions); unemployment paperwork; real estate tax receipts for rent/tax rebate; Form 8332 for non-custodial parents; Social Security cards for all taxpayers and dependents; W-7 forms if appropriate; information related to income and expenses (business, rental properties, sale of stocks); a personal banking account check if direct deposit is desired; and any documentation related to health insurance for themselves and anyone on the tax return, such as Form 1095-A, -B or -C. Last year’s tax returns are also requested.

Walk-in VITA service without an appointment is available in room 111 of Brennan Hall, Madison Avenue, on the university’s campus on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Monday, Feb. 10, to Wednesday, Mar. 11, and from Monday, Mar. 23, to Friday, Apr. 3. Hours of service will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays; from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays; and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays. Service on campus will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and advance appointments cannot be scheduled. The University reserves the right to cap the number of walk-in residents they can serve within a single day

University students have participated in the VITA program for more than 30 years.

In addition to the university’s campus, the VITA service is available by appointment only at the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties office at 615 Jefferson Ave,. Service for senior citizens only is also available at several locations in the area in March. Limited appointments are available at this time. Appointments can be made online at uwic.net/taxes or by calling 211. Residents may also call the university’s VITA Program at 570-941-4045.

Appointments can be made for service at The University of Scranton only for Sunday, Feb. 9, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Sunday, April 5, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

VITA program partners are The University of Scranton, The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, Lackawanna College, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, the Lackawanna County Library System, Penn State Scranton and the IRS.

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