By Linda Bailey, Student Reporter
A deadline students will not want to miss is April 15. Income taxes must be filed by this date, but faculty and students do not think the process will be difficult to complete.
The IRS Web site includes many programs that guide people through the process. Bill Fowler, chair of the Department of Accounting and Finance, said if students have their W-2 forms, documents from an employer telling how much was paid and how much was withheld, and a copy of last year’s tax forms, the process should not take more than 15-20 minutes.
“Most people can do it online with a software program that will walk you through the questions and answers without you being burdened with having to know the tax forms,” he said.
These Web sites allow a person to e-file by submitting the form directly online. It also provides the option of depositing the refund into a bank account instead of sending a check in the mail. Fowler said refunds are received in seven to 10 days using e-filing, instead of the four to six weeks it would take if the forms are mailed.
Some students already have successfully submitted the appropriate paperwork. Jon Pratt, sophomore finance and accounting major from Kerrville, said this was his second year to file his taxes alone. His parents taught him; now he uses the free online program TurboTax to get the job done. He said because he had all of his information together, he was able to complete the paperwork in about 25 minutes.
“I had all of my information together, so it was more time efficient because I didn’t have to get out of my chair and look for something and go back,” he said.
Not all students complete the process alone. Some students let their parents or professionals take care of it. Zen Morgan, junior exercise science major from Keller, said he has done his taxes in the past, but this year his father completed them. He said he preferred to turn in forms right away because he liked getting refunded fast. He also said the process was quick, especially for the college-aged population.
Fowler said it was possible for students to hire someone to file their taxes or have their parents help, but he suggested students do it themselves.
“For most people, especially students, it isn’t that complicated,” he said.
