"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Free Tax Preparation Service

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – With tax season approaching, the Cherokee Nation is offering free tax preparation service to residents with an annual income of $39,000 or less at several sites throughout the Cherokee Nation. The service will be offered beginning Monday, January 22, and continue through Thursday, April 12 in various locations.

“The Cherokee Nation is pleased to offer this service to our citizens and community members alike,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “Tax preparation can be very costly and we are glad to be able to offer a free service to families who might need it.”

Through a continued partnership agreement with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the Cherokee Nation has been providing this service for more than 20 years. Each year the program assists over 1,000 residents with tax preparation.

The tax preparers are volunteers trained using materials provided by the IRS. However, for more complicated returns it is suggested that taxpayers contact a paid tax preparer.

This service is available to anyone with a yearly income of $39,000 or less. Tax preparation is open to all Cherokee citizens and other residents of the Cherokee Nation who meet the income guidelines regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, disability, reprisal or age.

“The average person pays between $140 and $250 to have a paid preparer do their taxes,” said Pam Bakke, Cherokee Nation Community Resource Specialist. “The people who have taken advantage of this service have been very appreciative.”

Interested parties should submit a valid picture I.D., social security cards or tax identification number cards for all members of the household whose name will appear on the tax return, provider’s address and tax identification number for child/dependent care credit, copy of last year’s tax return and all W-2, 1098, 1099 forms and the amount of other income received by tax payer and spouse. In addition, form 8332 or a copy of a divorce decree must be submitted to non-custodial parents claiming a child. For persons interested in direct deposit, account and routing numbers are required.

For more information or for site locations in the Tahlequah area contact; phone: 918-458-0484 or for site locations outside of Tahlequah contact Pam Bakke, phone: 918-453-5347 or call 800-256-0671 (ext.5347).