Free Tax Assistance Offered at MATC-Oak Creek and MATC-Milwaukee

People who earn less than $56,000 in annual family income are eligible for free help in preparing basic personal income tax returns at Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Downtown Milwaukee Campus, 700 W. State St.; and the Oak Creek Campus, 6665 S. Howell Ave. MATC accounting students provide the service in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs.

All returns are e-filed to ensure speed and accuracy. Now in its 28th year at the Oak Creek Campus and its 8th year at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus, the program heightens awareness of Wisconsin’s Homestead Credit and the Earned Income Credit, an often overlooked federal tax break for low-income working people who are raising children in their homes.

Oak Creek Campus Dates and Hours

Tax help will be offered Feb. 3 through April 14 (closed April 3, 7 and 10), Wednesdays, 4 - 7 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m. – noon. The first 25 clients will be assisted at each session. Enter at the back of the cafeteria, Room A100.

Milwaukee Campus Dates and Hours

Tax help will be offered Jan. 26 through April 13 (closed April 3 and 6); Tuesdays from 5 - 7 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The first 20 clients will receive assistance Tuesdays and the first 40 clients will be served on Saturdays. Go to the VITA office, Room M173 of the Main Building at 1015 N. 6th St. Enter at 6th and Highland.

Please bring the following:

 wage and earnings statements (W-2 forms)

 bank interest statements (1099 forms)

 a copy of last year’s return

 photo identification

 receipts for property taxes paid

 certificate for rent paid (signed by landlord)

 Social Security cards for you, spouses and dependents

 Social Security number or tax ID number for providers of child care

 other relevant information about earnings and expenses

 bank routing number and account number (a cancelled check works best for checking to ensure correct deposit information)

Taxpayers filing a joint return must both be present when the returns are prepared, because both spouses must sign a joint tax return.

Student volunteers are trained by the Internal Revenue Service and supervised by MATC instructors. For more information, please call Bobbie Sherrod, (414) 297-8417, at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus; or Jim Benedum, (414) 571-4757, at the Oak Creek Campus.

The largest technical college in the state, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of the economy in southeastern Wisconsin. MATC offers 200 degrees, diplomas, certificates and apprenticeships, plus nearly 400 transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees. A large pre-college program enables people to complete high school and prepare for higher learning. The Office of Corporate Learning provides customized training to incumbent workers. Approximately 48,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses, numerous evening centers and community-based sites, or learn online. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses right here at home. Visit www.matc.edu.