Accounting Students to Offer Tax Filing Assistance

Accounting students in the Maine Business School at the University of Maine are offering free federal and state income tax filing assistance, under the supervision of Steven Colburn, associate professor of accounting.

Except for the weeks of March 2 and 9, free help sessions will be held 2-4:30 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 6 to April 10 at 312 Corbett Business Building and noon to 3 p.m. Fridays, Jan. 31 to April 11 at the Orono Public Library, 39 Pine St.

Filers are asked to bring their tax information for 2013, including:

  • W-2 forms received from employer(s)

  • Documentation for other income, including interest, dividends or tax refunds received during 2013, if any

  • Information regarding deductions they hope to claim (property taxes, mortgage interest, student loan interest paid, etc.)

  • Social Security numbers for all dependents

  • Copies of 2012 federal tax and state income tax returns; a copy of the federal return is needed to electronically file the 2013 return

All filers’ information is treated confidentially. Colburn will review all tax returns before they are filed. People who receive assistance will get a printed copy of their state and federal tax returns.

Appointments, which generally last an hour, are required. To make an appointment, contact Colburn, 207.581.1982, steve.colburn@umit.maine.edu or colburn@maine.edu.