For whom the
than that during 2011. In exchange for their free tax prep services, the Foundations Communities only ask that you make an appointment before you show up and that you bring all of the required information to your appointment. You know, like your W2, driver’s license, SSN card. Things like that. Amanda Chappel
bell tolls It’s tax season, everyone!
If you’re like most college students, you probably didn’t make enough money during the last fiscal year to qualify for a tax return. But there are some of you overachievers, aka people with jobs, who actually need to file a tax return. Unbeknownst to most people who stroll into H&R Block, there are a plethora of free or low-cost tax preparation services available to those who qualify. Now, that leaves us with just one little question: Do you qualify for free tax preparation services? According to Foundations Communities, a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing and corollary services to low-income families and individuals in Austin and throughout North Texas, they help over 18,000 people file their taxes for free each year. This year, you could be one of them.
You know you’re not really rich
Spend that tax refund the right way
Believe it or not, if you make less than approximately $30,000 each year, you
A guide to all of the free tax prep services in Austin Austin Locations 1. Community Financial Center 2600 W Stassney Ln, Austin, TX 78745 Busses 311 and 338 2. Goodwill Community Center 1015 Norwood Park Blvd, Austin, TX 78753 Busses 7, 161, 323, 325 3. Workforce Solutions Capital Area 6505 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78752 Busses 7, 10, 300, 320, 350 4. St. John’s Community Center 7500 Blessing Ave, Austin, TX 78752 Busses 7 and 300
5. Allan Elementary School 4900 Gonzales St, Rm 153 Austin, TX 78702, Bus 4 6. Montopolis Recreation Center 1200 Montopolis Dr, Austin, TX 78741
Surrounding Area Locations 7. Round Rock Public Library 216 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664 8. South Rural Community Center 3518 FM 973 South, Del Valle, TX 78617, Bus 350 9. Workforce Solutions of Bastrop County 53 Loop 150 West, Bastrop, TX 78602
Community Tax Centers: 512-610-7374 4
April 4, 2012 | UWeeklyATX.com
are technically considered living below the nation’s poverty line. As sad as it may be, that means you are technically a low-income individual. While that may all change as soon as you graduate and score that entry-level corporate job, for now, those are the facts. As a low-income individual, there’s no need to go wasting the little money
Do you qualify for free tax preparation services? that you do have on frivolous things such as paying for tax preparation. The Foundations Communities, who have over nine locations in Austin, will gladly file your taxes for you if you make (drum roll, please…) less than $50,000 a year. Now, for some reason, I’m pretty sure you made less
So now that you’ve got your taxes all taken care of (hopefully for free), you’re probably thinking of all the ways you could spend that sweet tax return. Most of us will go for the materialistic items first, like new shoes or that video game you’ve always wanted. With that much money in your hands, it’s hard not to go crazy. But think about it, what could you really use that extra money for? Take a look at how much you’ve gotten back. Now take a look at all of your debts and compare it to that “giant” lump of money you’ve received. It seems like an insignificant sum, now doesn’t it? The key with tax returns (or any amount of money) is to budget it wisely. Even though money is the root of all evil, we still want to own and swim in a giant pool of it, much like Scrooge McDuck. These fantasies keep us from seeing what’s important: fucking creditors. Whether it’s credit cards or student loans, we shouldn’t forget about our debts. Credit cards obviously take priority, since interest can really kick your ass in the future. That’s what’s so unfortunate about credit cards; it’s money that you don’t have and that you think you’ll have eventually but you forget about it. Student loans don’t have to be paid until after you graduate, but unsubsidized loans are already accruing interest. Take a look at what kinds of loans you’re taking out. Now, you probably shouldn’t use all of your taxes to pay off credit cards and student loans, but I’d use about 60% on these debts.