Page 3-Second Issue April 2017

Photo courtesy of  Joe Smietanka's parents

Joe's Corner

This is a section dedicated for student writing and named after Joe Smietanka, who passed away in 2016. This section is named after him because of his dedication and love for the art of writing.

A Morning in D Minor

By: Anonymous

It's 4AM and my fingers are shaking.

I'm sweating and staring,

And my poor heart is breaking.

The drone of the radiator mocks as I write,

For I'm finishing three essays.

All in one night.

We are looking for student writing to publish in future issues please submit your writing to the helenahelmnews@gmail.com

Cash Carnival

By Joy Y Wiggins

Joy.Wiggins@mail.umhelena.edu

     The Cash Carnival is an annual event and was hosted this year on March 14, 2017 to help students think more about personal finances while in college, so they are more informed when they enter the job market. This year the Cash Carnival offered a variety of games, including the Price is Right, Dean Dollars Duck Pond, Cash Cab, Prize Wheel, a Budget Game and National Financial Literacy (NFL) online football. At each game students answered questions and won dean dollars for use in bidding on silent auction items. The questions included various topics such as budgeting, credit, savings, retirement plans, managing debt, paying for college, and student loans.

     This year prizes included a Fitbit flex, hand crafted welcome signs from the Welding Department, hand crafted welcome signs and bottle stoppers courtesy of the Helena College Future Machinists of America Club, a Helena College t-shirt, Helena College hat, Helena College hoodie, and a $25 gift card to the Bookstore.

     Volunteers for this event included Helena College staff, faculty, Student Government Association representatives, and Student Ambassadors. The Cash Carnival will be held on the Airport Campus next fall, and then again on the Donaldson Campus next spring.

Tax Time

By Angela Lunda
Angela.Lunda@mail.umhelena.edu

     Here in the Helena community we are lucky enough to have VITA services available. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. This year Helena College is one of the places offering this service. It is every Saturday from February 4,2017 to April 15, 2017. It will start at 9am and go through 1pm. No appointment is necessary because it is first come first serve. To make this an easy and successful visit you must bring the following information with you:

*Proof of identification (photo ID)

* Security cards for you, your spouse, and dependents

*An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter may be substituted for you, your spouse, and your dependents if you do not have a Social Security number

*Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN

*Birth dates for you, your spouse, and dependents on the tax return

*Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R,1099-Misc) from all employers

*Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

*All Forms 1095, Health Insurance Statements

*Health Insurance Exemption Certificate, if received

*A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available

*Proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit such as a blank check

*To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms

*Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number such as their Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number

*Forms 1095-A, B or C, Affordable Health Care Statements

If you would like more information or would like to see the other places in the Helena offering this service you can go to www.montanafreefile.org.