Cal Poly Pomona to Offer Free Tax Help Saturday

Cal Poly Pomona has enhanced its free income tax preparation services thanks to a new partnership with the California State Board of Equalization 

Those who attend Tax Day 2013 on March 2 in the new College of Business Administration complex will receive complimentary tax assistance as well as chance to talk with representatives from 20 different agencies that offer services, discounts and assistance to low-income households and the elderly. Participants include California Public Utilities Commission, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and California Economic Development Department.

“Cal Poly Pomona has always tried to be a good community partner,” said Adjunct Accounting Professor Bill Foley. “After directing the free income tax services over the course of five years, it became clear to me that many people didn’t know vital assistance programs even existed. We felt that it was our duty to step up and offer expanded services to our neighbors.”

Foley expects volunteers to file 100 tax returns on Tax Day and service approximately 200 people at the resource fair. The event will kick-off at 10 a.m. with visits from Congresswoman Gloria Negrete McLeod and Jerome E. Horton, BOE chairman.

BOE has partnered with other Cal State universities and Rio Hondo Community College to offer these free services to the community.

"We are pleased to join Cal Poly Pomona in helping their students and the residents in the surrounding communities, who earn less than $51,000 a year, file their income tax returns in order to recapture up to $5,891 in Federal Income Tax Credits or EITC," Horton says. "Every year, Californians fail to claim nearly $1.2 billion in EITC, we are thankful to Cal Poly Pomona for helping recapture these funds for those who need it the most."

People can register online  or walk in the day of the event. Foley asks that participants bring all necessary documents such as social security cards and W-2 forms. A full list of necessary paperwork can be viewed on the Accounting Department's website. The free services are available to filers whose income is $51,000 or less.

Those assisting with tax preparation include accounting students enrolled in a service learning course, members of student club Beta Alpha Psi and recent accounting alumni. To participate, all volunteers must pass the most advanced level VITA tests administered by the IRS and are overseen by Foley who has more than 30 years of experience working as a certified public accountant.  Foley also will be assisted by enrolled agents, professional tax preparers who have credentials with the IRS. 

What:  Tax Day 2013

Where: College of Business Administration complex (Building 163) at Cal Poly Pomona, 3801 W. Temple Ave

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

--Cal Poly Pomona, College of Business Administration