UTRGV students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community can file their taxes for free using the MyFreeTaxes software sponsored by United Way and powered by H&R Block.
MyFreeTaxes is an online software that allows individuals to self-prepare their own tax returns and if help is needed, stations are accessible at U Central sites on the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses, according to Jael Perez, associate director of Financial Aid Operations and Community Liaison at UTRGV.
Stations are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until March 6, according to an email sent to the university community on Jan. 31.
MyFreeTaxes has been providing services at the university since the opening of UTRGV, according to Perez.
Perez said the process can take about 15 minutes to an hour to complete, depending on the different types of forms people need to enter in the system.
“Usually when it takes an hour, it’s mostly because sometimes people, they don’t have everything and so they’re looking for things, you know,” Perez said. “Sometimes some of our students, they haven’t downloaded their 1098-T and so, they’re logging in at the ASSIST at the same time, downloading that form and so on. But it is relatively fast.”
Documents needed when completing the tax return, according to the email, are
–Valid identification;
–Social Security or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and a valid e-mail address;
–W2s, 1099s, and other income forms;
–1098-T forms;
–2018 tax return or parent’s 2018 tax return, if claimed as a dependent;
–Bank routing and account numbers and;
–If filing a joint tax return, both individuals must be present.
“My Free Taxes can be used to file your federal and out of state tax returns (if applicable),” the email states. “However, the software does not support the 1040NR Tax return (usually required for F-1 international students).”
After completing the form, it takes about three to four weeks for the refund, according to Perez.
The deadline to file taxes is April 15 and Perez recommends filing early to receive the refund early.
“So, yes, there’s still a little bit of time, but, you know, pretty much it’s one of those things that, it has to be done,” Perez said. “And if you are required to file it, right, not everybody’s required to file, and the earlier that is done, especially if you are going to receive a refund … you get your money faster.”
Mass communication sophomore Leslie Resendez said she was not aware of the service.
“I just used TurboTax ’cause my best friend would do her taxes on TurboTax,” Resendez said. “So, I just kind of imitated that but I think that’s a great opportunity for students to learn more about doing their taxes, especially because, you know, we have all these things we have to pay for.”
MyFreeTaxes.com has a helpline for those who have trouble while completing the form. For help, call (855) 698-9435 or visit the MyFreeTaxes stations in the university.
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