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s e r v i n g m i d va l l e y & u p pe r l ac k awa n n a va l l e y thevalleyadvantage.com | February 10, 2017
A baton-twirling group will perform for charity this weekend |page 4
At a recent dinner, local companies received awards |page 5
A student club will assist with an upcoming blood drive |page 8
Help witH a taxing CHore U. of Scranton again aids with tax prep by Christopher Cornell
Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, with the support of several local human serADVAntAGe eDitor vice organizations. Walk-in service without an appointSome annual events, like Christmas or ment is available in Brennan Hall on the first day of spring, are happy occasthe University’s campus Mondays and sions. The arrival of tax season is probably not one of those times (unless a nice Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays noon to 5 p.m., and refund is coming Fridays 9 a.m. to 1 your way). p.m. from through But, for two deWednesday, March cades, residents of 8; and Monday, Lackawanna County March 20, to Friday, who are below a March 31. certain income level Residents are (less than $54,000 asked to bring: a this year) can revalid photo ID, all ceive free assistance W2 forms, all 1099 completing their forms, real estate federal, state and tax receipts for the local tax returns rent/tax rebate, form 8332 for non-custhrough the Volunteer Income Tax Astodial parents; Social Security numbers sistance (VITA) program. The free service is staffed by University or individual tax identification numbers of Scranton accounting students and nu- (ITIN) for all taxpayers and dependents, merous professional volunteers organized W-7 forms if appropriate, information related to income and expenses, a personal by the University and the United Way of banking account check if direct deposit is desired and any documentation related to health insurance for themselves and anyone on the tax return, such as Form 1095-A, -B or -C, or paperwork from the TS_CNG/ADVANTAGE/PAGES [A01] | 02/09/17
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University of Scranton accounting professor Joseph Hammond, VITA program director, and University of Scranton finance major Carly Brufke.
Healthcare Market Place. Last year’s tax returns are also requested. You can also make an appointment (if it is not already sold out) at the Carbondale Senior Community Center, 66 N. Church St. in Carbondale on Saturday, March 18, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday, March 31, 2-6 p.m. Visit uwlc.net or call 570-504-0614. And that’s not the only help people can get. The Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging will provide assistance for qualifying senior citizens in Lackawanna County with their 2016 state prop-
erty tax/rent rebate forms. To qualify for the rebate, Pennsylvanians must be age 65 and older (widows and widowers age 50 and older and people with disabilities age 18 and older). The income limit for a homeowner is $35,000 and $15,000 for renters. Rebates range from $250-$650. The deadline for filing the form(s) is June 30. Telespond Senior Services will be visiting the Carbondale Center, 66 N. Church St., on the third Thursday of every month, and the Mid-Valley Center, 310 Church St. in Jessup, on the fourth Wednesday of every month.