Special to The Hays Daily News

Fort Hays State University accounting students will offer free income tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

Low- to moderate-income ($49,000 and below) residents are eligible to receive assistance from qualified FHSU students. During the past several years, the VITA program has aided hundreds of local taxpayers.

VITA volunteers are qualified to prepare: Form 1040EZ, 1040A, and 1040; Schedule A (Itemized Deductions), Schedule B (Interest and Dividends), and Schedule EIC (Earned Income Credit).

Volunteers are not qualified to do any of the following: Schedule C (Business Income), Schedule D (Capital Gains), Schedule E (Rent Income & Royalties), Schedule F (Farm Income), and foreign student returns.

All taxpayers will need to bring the following items to the VITA site in order to have a tax return prepared:

* Photo identification.

* Social Security cards and birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents.

* Wage and earning statement(s): Form W-2, W-2G, 1098, 1099-R, from all employers.

* Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099).

* A copy of last year's federal and state returns, if available.

* Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit.

* To file taxes electronically on a married filing joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

* Tuition statement from school (1098-T).

* Students should know if they can be claimed as a dependent on their parent's return.

Tax returns will be prepared in McCartney Hall, Room 116. Services are available from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays from now through March 9 and the same times Wednesdays from now until March 10.

No appointments are necessary. Clients will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis as time slots allow.

For additional information, contact the FHSU Economics, Finance and Accounting Department at (785) 628-5805 or Charles Gnizak at (785) 628-4328.