IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/23/06 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE SILVER CITY- April 16 is a date that most people dread. It is the day that all tax forms are due. Fortunately, Western New Mexico University college students are trying to make this process a little easier for students and members of the community. WNMU student volunteers are helping out individuals prepare and submit their taxes. In order to qualify for this program, the household income must be less then $30,000 a year. The program can save filers between $75 and $100 in the cost of having their taxes prepared. WNMU has been participating in this program for 24 years. This year there are 12 volunteers. Already this year, WNMU students have assisted more than 250 people prepare and submit their tax forms. Linda McGee, WNMU associate professor of business administration, says, “This is a win-win situation. The community gets a great service and the students get the benefit of some practical the hands-on experience.” Last year, WNMU students helped more than 700 people file their taxes. This year is expected to bring a larger number because other groups that were offering similar programs are no longer able to offer the service. The student volunteers first have to enroll in the upper division accounting class and then pass a test that is provided by the Internal Revenue Service. The program serves as a combination of a class and an internship. Most student participants are juniors and seniors at WNMU and all are business and accounting majors, although anybody can take the class and volunteer their time. Students are only allowed to take the class once but many come back to volunteer over the years, according to McGee. Cecilia Acosta, WNMU senior and tax filer, says “It is a great service because it’s convenient, free, accurate and on campus.” Cecilia adds, “This is a great program because it helps low income families, plus is gives the accounting majors a taste of what their career is going to be like. I would suggest that everybody who qualifies use this service. It is very helpful and the volunteers know what they are doing.” Community members, Sara Martinez and John Martin say, “It is a great service and I would recommend it to anybody. We got great service and everybody was really nice and knowledgeable.” The schedule for the free tax assistance is Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. This schedule is subject to change. The service is offered in Phelps Dodge Building, Room 133. The building is located on 12th Street. No appointments are necessary, but people need to bring a photo id and social security cards for all taxpayers and dependants. For more information on this program and hours of operation, call the WNMU Business Department at 538-6321. -30- IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/23/06 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICECAPTION: The Volunteer Return Preparation Program, also known as Tax Help New Mexico, provides free income tax preparation service to local residents. The program is being offered by Western New Mexico University through April 13, 2006. Pictured, from left to right are WNMU student volunteer Will Blanchard with tax filers Sara Martinez and John Martin. - 30 -