Though waiting until April 14 to begin filling out tax returns seems rather commonplace, it is not always the best time to begin the process.

Students have many places to go for help with filing tax refunds, addressing the burdens and complications associated with the tax season with plenty of time to spare.

Beta Alpha Psi, the national accounting honor society, will be sponsoring free basic tax preparation help sessions from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. beginning March 6 in the basement of Parks Library.

“Anyone who has a fairly simple personal return can get help from the volunteers that are working there,” said Bill Dilla, associate professor of accounting.

Members of Beta Alpha Psi and students in accounting will be working at the help sessions, Dilla said.

Volunteers involved in the program are certified by the IRS as part of the nationwide Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

“Students coming for help should bring all relevant tax information, such as their W2s, any bank records, and records for tuition and childcare credits,” Dilla said.

Dilla said the volunteers will be able to do most student tax returns, such as 1040A, 1040EZ, and 1040 forms, but more complicated tax returns may be referred to a professional tax preparer, such as a certified public accountant.

He also said some international students may need help beyond the scope of the volunteers.

Certified public accountants are available to help people prepare their taxes but charge an hourly rate for the assistance.

“[Certified public accountants] usually charge about $100 tp $150 an hour,” said Richard Tallman, CPA in Ames.

CPAs don’t usually have many student customers, he said, due to the fee and the fact that student tax forms aren’t as complicated as those of businesses and rental properties.

“The education credit area seems to be an area that students need help on for taxes,” Tallman said.

Education credits are tax credits given to students based on the amount of tuition they pay, he said. They factor into the amount of tax refunds a student may receive.

International students filing their tax returns will find a variety of resources through International Education Services.

International Peer Assistants are available by appointment to personally help fill out forms by calling 294-1120. Examples of completed special forms, such as nonresident forms, can be found at www.iastate.edu/~internat_info/forms/forms.html#TAX.

For those wishing to file on their own, both the Ames Public Library and Parks Library have the necessary forms, but library staff members are not allowed to give tax advice.

“All of the [federal] forms are available until April 15, and the state forms are available until the end of April,” said Norma Dowell, library assistant at Parks Library.

Dowell said backup forms are kept after the deadlines for people who missed the deadline and still wish to file, and all of the forms, including special forms, are available on the Internal Revenue Service Web site, www.irs.gov.

State tax forms can be found at www.state.ia.us/tax/forms/indinc.html.