Laredo ISD Career and Technical Education (CTE) student volunteers from Martin, Nixon and Cigarroa High Schools, who are IRS certified, will be providing free tax preparation for citizens filing their 2022 income tax returns in association with the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.
Beginning, Monday, January 23, Laredo ISD IRS-certified volunteers, in partnership with the Laredo Family Economic Success Coalition, will prepare income tax returns for free for those with qualifying incomes up to $59,000. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.
LISD CTE students, under the supervision of their Financial Analysis teachers, will process and accept tax returns at Martin, Nixon, and Cigarroa High Schools. Citizens needing assistance can visit:
· Martin High School Room B217 in the B Building, 2002 San Bernardo Ave., Monday -Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 4:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., by appointment only.
· Nixon High School Library, 2000 Plum St., Monday and Wednesday from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Walk-ins, no appointment needed, first come first serve based on availability.
· Cigarroa High School Library, 2600 Zacatecas St., Tuesday and Thursday 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Walk-ins, no appointment needed, first come first serve based on availability.
Nixon High School senior Alejandro Peralta along with other VITA volunteers are helping community members complete their taxes for the 2022 tax year.
“My classmates and I are helping people complete their taxes who feel uncomfortable trying to attempt it, so they rather look for professional help,” said Peralta. “We took a course to learn about the basic rules the laws around taxes and how it's changing every year to get IRS certified.”
Tax preparation will be offered through Thursday, April 13, at LISD’s high schools. To set an appointment contact Brenda Gonzalez, VITA Site Coordinator at Martin High School at 273-7342, Elvia Boyles, VITA Site Coordinator at Nixon High School at 273-7595, and Diana Cantu, VITA Site Coordinator at Cigarroa High School at 273-6861.
“The VITA Program has been a great learning opportunity for our students who have gained valuable skills to prepare themselves for future career opportunities. LISD CTE students have been certified to process and file electronic tax returns and allows them to give back to our community,” said Rogelio Garcia, LISD Executive Director of CCMR, Advanced Academics and Schools of Innovation. “The student volunteers are all certified, well trained, and know the tax laws.”
According to Peralta, his accounting class has prepared him to be an IRS volunteer. “Accounting has helped me to understand how the fluctuation of money goes how your income influences your taxes,” said Peralta. “So, knowing more about accounting can help you know more about taxes so that you can have an idea of how to go about it.”
IRS certified students will be able to prepare Form 1040 for income tax returns for 2022. Tax filers will need to bring all required documents and information including W-2 and 1099 forms, information for other income, information for all deductions/credits, a copy of last year’s tax return, proof of account for direct deposit of refund, Social Security or Individual Taxpayer notices for filer, spouse, and/or dependent, proof of identification for filer and/or spouse, total paid to daycare provider and their tax ID number, birth date for filer, spouse and/or dependents on the return, proof of foreign status if applying for ITIN, and forms 1095-A, B, or C (ACA statement).
VITA Services at LISD will not be available on February 20, and March 13-17 due to district holidays.
During the 2021 tax season, LISD VITA volunteers processed 511 tax returns resulting in $1,416,962.00 in refunds to the local community.
LISD is a part of the Laredo Family Economic Success Coalition (LFESC), which is a voluntary partnership with the IRS, government, public and private organizations in support of the economic development and financial well-being of the community. Some of the partners include but is not limited to Azteca Economic Development & Preservation Corp., HEB, Goodwill, IRS, IBC, LISD, City of Laredo Public Library, TAMIU, Laredo College, and Workforce Solutions for South Texas.