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Free Tax Preparation Services Available at UB

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- IRS-certified accounting students from the University at Buffalo School of Management will again provide free tax preparation services to individuals and families with annual incomes below $42,000.

Area residents and students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, which will be held on UB’s North (Amherst) and South (Main Street) campuses. The IRS estimates that using such free services can save taxpayers between $100 and $300 in preparation fees.

This service can be especially valuable to low-income tax filers by helping them apply for earned income-tax credits that can provide a needed boost in annual income. The tax credits, which can reduce or completely eliminate income taxes by refunding taxes already withheld from wages, can mean as much as $4,700 for a family with two children.

Earned income-tax credits also can be collected from back tax filings. The service will prepare tax filings for the two previous years, as well as 2008.

Free tax preparation will be offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis in 109 Allen Hall, South Campus, on February 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and March 1, and in 106 Jacobs Management Center, North Campus, on March 21, 22, 28, 29 and April 4, 5, 11 and 12.

Participants must bring proof of identification (government-issued ID for each adult, such as driver’s license, state-issued ID card, passport, military ID card, etc.); original Social Security card for each filer and dependent; date of birth for self, spouse and dependents; wage and earning statements (Forms W-2 and 1099) from all employers; interest and dividend statements (Form 1099); a copy of last year's federal and state tax returns, if available; and bank routing numbers and account numbers, if direct deposit is desired.

The tax service is coordinated by the UB chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honors organization for accounting, finance, and information systems students, with help from the UB Accounting Association.

Frequently asked questions as well as maps and directions can be found at mgt.buffalo.edu/freetaxprep. Additional questions can be directed to mgt-freetaxprep@buffalo.edu or 716-480-9720. Services on the South Campus are available thanks to support and equipment provided by the UB Office of Community Relations.

Please note that tax preparation for nonresident aliens requires special processing that is beyond the scope of the services provided by Beta Alpha Psi. UB international students on a nonimmigrant visa should visit UB’s International Student and Scholar Services Web site for more information.

The Wall Street Journal has ranked the UB School of Management No. 9 in the nation among schools with strong regional recruiting bases. In addition, BusinessWeek has ranked the school as one of the country's top 5 business schools for the fastest return on MBA investment, and Forbes cited it as one of the best business schools in the U.S. for the return on investment it provides MBA graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit mgt.buffalo.edu.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system that is its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB’s more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.