Fort Morgan, CO. 5/06/2021 Morgan Community College (MCC) partnered with Denver-based Piton Foundation to offer individuals and families free tax preparation through the Tax Help Colorado program. The service provided a vital need in regional communities, easing the burden of tax preparation fees for lower to middle-income families and helping them connect with valuable tax credits. The program, offered February 2 through March 4, 2021, yielded over three-quarters of a million dollars in 2020 tax refunds for the participants.
MCC students who were enrolled in a related Tax Help Colorado course became Certified Tax Preparers (CTP) and joined other CTP volunteers to put their skills to use. The Tax Help Colorado course focused on IRS regulations, such as tax filing requirements, filing status, exemptions, tax deductions, and credits.
The success of the MCC Tax Help Colorado program was made possible through the hard work of 18 volunteers: Maggie Camacho, Beth Hocheder, Judy Keating, Amanda Knox, Carolina Landeros, Janet Larrick, Lily Martinez, Betty McKie, Laurie Morris, Cathie Nix, Becca Olivere, Abby Patten, Kindra Ormsbe, Rebecca Schmidt, Leah Thomas, Cindy Tormohlen, Connie Tormohlen, and Diana Velasquez. The team donated over 700 volunteer hours, processing 349 tax returns that yielded a total of more than $775,000 in federal and state refunds.
“I have been involved in all but one year of the tax site at MCC,” said a 12-year volunteer tax preparer. “It is a wonderful opportunity and service not only for the community, but also for the students and volunteers involved. They learn life skills in tax preparation, customer service, and communication skills.”
To learn more about Morgan Community College or for information about MCC’s Tax Help Colorado service, email Leah Thomas at [email protected] or call (970) 542-3100.
