Taxes

It is strongly recommended to use a tax professional to prepare refugee taxes, as they often are treated differently than other immigrants by the IRS and may be eligible for alternative tax credits.


There are several option for free tax services.

Free Tax Services in Kalamazoo


1. KVCC


KVCC provides free tax preparation and has become the location of choice for the refugee community. Make sure you get an appoint will ahead of April 15th. Waiting times can be long, but worth it. For more information call:


Kalamazoo Valley Community College

269-488-4400

6767 West O Ave.


https://www.kvcc.edu/library/tax-forms.html



2. The Kalamazoo County Tax Counseling Initiative


The Kalamazoo County Tax Counseling Initiative offers free tax preparation for individuals and families whose household income was $54,000 or less, in 2016. Each tax preparer is IRS certified and free e-filing is available at all locations. Call 2-1-1, starting the second week in January, to get information on scheduling appointments at one of the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program) sites. They will tell you what items to bring, site locations and tax preparation times.

More information is available at http://www.goodwillswmi.org/freetaxes/



3. AARP


The AARP also has free tax services. Call Senior Services to schedule appointment and location. (888-687-2277)


http://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/



4. Gryphon Place


There are free tax services provided by Gryphon Place off of Stadium Drive for low income families. Call for more accurate information. Advance registration is required so call early. Make sure that all SS cards, tax documents are brought with. All adults filing must be present for signatures (husband/wife).


Gryphon Place

3245 S 8th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009

(269) 381-1510



5. Your local library


Various libraries in the area also provide free tax preparation services. Contact your local library for details.


Kalamazoo Central Branch

  • 315 S Rose St
  • Kalamazoo MI 49007
  • Phone 269-342-9837


Eastwood Branch Library


  • 1112 Gayle
  • Kalamazoo MI 49048
  • 269-553-7810.


Oshtemo Branch Library


  • 7265 W Main St
  • Kalamazoo MI 49009
  • Phone 269-553-7980


Alma Powell Branch

  • 1000 W Paterson
  • Kalamazoo MI 49007
  • Phone 269-553-7960


Washington Square Branch


  • 1244 Portage
  • Kalamazoo MI 49001
  • Phone 269-553-7970


Filing Taxes Yourself


If you want to do taxes yourself (not recommended) click on www.unitedway.org/myfreetaxes/ to file state and federal taxes online for free.


Documents and Information you need to bring for taxes


  • Forms documenting how much money was provided through the resettlement agency (e.g. Samaritax, Bethany, etc.)
  • Letter from Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) which shows total amount of money received for the year.
  • Photo IDs
  • Social Security cards
  • 1099s and all tax documents received.


Complications Experienced


Some refugees families received a letter from the IRS asking them to prove who they were, due to concerns about identity theft. If that happens, you can try calling, but the agency may ask you for an interpreter. Ultimately copies of the tax return, W2s, IDs for the parents, and other letters had to be mailed in resulting in a 9 week delay to receive a refund.