Free Help with Tax Returns Offered at MATC's Oak Creek and Milwaukee Campuses

Taxpayers with a family income of less than $50,000 are eligible for free help preparing their basic personal income tax returns at Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Downtown Milwaukee Campus, 700 W. State St.; and Oak Creek Campus, 6665 S. Howell Ave. MATC accounting students provide the service in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs.

All returns are e-filed to ensure speed and accuracy. Now in its 30th year at the Oak Creek Campus and its 10th year at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus, the program heightens awareness of Wisconsin’s Homestead Credit and the Earned Income Credit, an often overlooked federal tax break for low-income working people who are raising children in their homes.

Oak Creek Campus Dates and Hours:

Tax help will be offered Feb. 1 through April 4, on Wednesdays from 4-7 p.m.; and on Saturdays, from 9 a.m.–noon. The first 25 clients will be assisted at each session. Go to Room A102, on the lower level, next to the cafeteria.

Downtown Milwaukee Campus Hours:

Downtown Milwaukee Campus Dates and Hours
Tax help will be offered Jan. 28 through April 14 (closed April 7 and 10); on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m.; and on Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The first 20 clients will receive assistance Tuesdays and the first 35 clients will be served on Saturdays. It is suggested that clients arrive 30 minutes before the session begins. Go to the VITA office, located in the Welcome Center on the first floor of the Student Center, 700 W. State St. A kiosk computer station also will be available for self service.

Attendees should bring the following:
-- wage and earnings statements (W-2 forms)
-- bank interest statements (1099 forms)
-- a copy of last year’s income tax return
-- photo identification
-- receipts for property taxes paid
-- certificate for rent paid (signed by landlord)
-- Social Security cards for you, spouses and dependents [all individuals to be listed on return]
-- Social Security number or tax ID number for providers of child care
-- other relevant information about earnings and expenses
-- bank routing number and account number (a cancelled check works best for checking to ensure correct deposit information)

Taxpayers filing a joint return must both be present when the returns are prepared, because both spouses must sign a joint tax return.

Student volunteers are trained by the Internal Revenue Service and supervised by MATC
instructors. For more information, please call Bobbie Sherrod, (414) 297-8417, at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus; or Jim Benedum, (414) 571-4757, at the Oak Creek Campus.

Wisconsin’s largest technical college and the most diverse two-year institution in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. Approximately 50,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers 200 academic programs; nearly 400 transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees; and Pre-College Education, which assists people with completing high school, preparing for college or entering the workforce. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission, the national standard for academics and student services.