NOC Tonkawa to Offer Free Tax Preparation Services Beginning Feb. 12

Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa will offer free basic income tax return preparation for students, NOC employees and area residents beginning Feb. 12.

The service is available to individuals or families with an annual income of less than $75,000 and will be held on select Thursdays throughout the tax season. Trained tax preparers from the NOC Business Division, along with area volunteers, will assist participants with filing basic federal and state tax returns. Taxpayers may also choose to prepare their own returns using free e-filing software provided on site.

Cara Beth Johnson, chair of the NOC Business Division, said the program benefits both the community and students. “This is a great opportunity for our students to provide a community service and gain tax preparation experience,” Johnson said.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will be hosted at the Cultural Engagement Center (CEC) on Feb. 12, Feb. 26, March 12, March 26 and April 9. The CEC is located in the Vineyard Administration/Library building on the NOC Tonkawa campus.

Tax preparation services are provided by appointment only. Those seeking assistance should bring a photo ID for all filers; Social Security cards and birthdates for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents; W-2 and 1099 forms; receipts for childcare costs, education expenses and other deductions; a checking account and routing number for refunds; and health insurance forms 1095-A, 1095-B or 1095-C, if applicable.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, contact Cara Beth Johnson at 580-628-6340 or by email at carolyn.johnson@noc.edu

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The program is sponsored by Northern Oklahoma College in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service.

Northern Oklahoma College is the state’s first public two-year community college and is a multi-campus, land-grant institution serving nearly 3,100 students across campuses in Tonkawa, Enid, Stillwater and Ponca City. Approximately 80 percent of NOC students receive financial aid or scholarships, and 75 percent complete their degrees with zero debt.

NOC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in arts, science and applied science, with additional accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

For more information about Northern Oklahoma College, call 580-628-6208 or visit www.noc.edu