FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Michael McKittrick
Business and Technologies
Phone: (505) 428-1245
Jill Janov
Marketing and Public Relations
Phone: (505) 428-1776
SFCC to Offer Short Course in Tax Preparation
Nov. 16, 2004 — A three-credit accounting class at Santa Fe Community College teaches
students how to prepare simple tax returns and then helps them put their new skills to work in
volunteer service to the community. The class is offered in collaboration with TAX HELP New
Mexico, an organization designed to help elderly and low-income individuals prepare their tax
returns through partnerships with post-secondary educational institutions and other nonprofit
agencies in the state.
Registration for the spring session of Accounting 140 is under way. Students can take the course
in a concentrated four-day format from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Jan. 18 through 21, or they may select
a session offered 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Jan. 25 through Feb. 24. In
either case, students enrolled in ACCT 140 receive training in tax return preparation, including
software use and electronic filing procedures, with particular focus on Earned Income Tax
Credit.
After becoming certified by the IRS, students in the class will help low-income and elderly
individuals – including other SFCC students – complete their tax returns and file them
electronically, free of charge, as part of the lab component of the course.
-more-
SFCC Tax Class (page 2)
In 2004, Tax Help New Mexico served 16,500 clients statewide and generated $14 million in
refunds. At SFCC, seven students became certified tax preparers during the college’s first year in
the program and processed more than 130 returns, resulting in $60,348 in taxpayer refunds and
$30,477 in Earned Income Tax Credits.
“The students learn a skill that’s incredibly practical,” said Gail Terzuola, director of SFCC’s
Service-Learning Department. “In addition, it benefits the community because so many lowincome people, especially other students, often don’t apply for their earned-income tax credit,”
she said.
The class is open to all students, and there is no prerequisite for registration. “It’s fun and very
fulfilling,” said Michelle Stobnicke, chair of SFCC’s business and technologies department. She
encourages nontraditional students such as retired individuals to sign up. “It’s a real opportunity
for people who want to give back to the community,” she said.
Class registration dates: Weekdays, Nov. 15 through Dec. 17 and Jan. 3 through 21 (except for
the class that begins Jan. 18), or online at www.sfccnm.edu.
Tax help available on campus to qualified individuals:
Feb. 2 – 26
Wednesdays, 3-7 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
March 1 – April 15
Tuesdays, 9-11:30 a.m.
Wednesdays, 3-7 p.m.
Thursdays, 9-11:30 a.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
-more-
SFCC Tax Class (page 3)
About TAX HELP New Mexico
TAX HELP New Mexico is sponsored by PNM, and its partners include the Albuquerque
Technical Vocational Institute (TVI). The Internal Revenue Service and the New Mexico
Department of Taxation and Revenue are among its affiliate partners.
About Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe Community College serves more than 14,500 students per year in its credit, noncredit
and adult basic education programs. The 21-year-old college offers academic, career and
personal-enrichment programs and services to meet the needs of business, government and the
region’s diverse population. The college contributes to the area’s economic, technological and
cultural development by offering programs ranging from art to business management and
directly addresses regional job shortages through its nursing, teacher education and culinary arts
programs. For further information, visit www.sfccnm.edu or call (505) 428-1000.
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