"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokee Nation Offering Free Tax Help

TAHLEQUAH, OK - With tax season now upon us, the Cherokee Nation is offering free tax preparation service to Cherokee citizens and other area residents with an annual income of $40,000 or less. The service will be offered beginning Monday, January 21, and continue through Tuesday, April 15 in various locations throughout the Cherokee Nation.

“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 this type of assistance.”

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.

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, religion or age. The service will be available in Tahlequah, Pryor, Sallisaw, Greasy, Stilwell, Claremore, Catoosa, Vinita and Jay.

“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 taxpayer 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.

The tax preparation service will be offered at the following locations:

Tahlequah – Cherokee Nation Adult Education Center, 122 E. Choctaw, Tuesdays through Fridays from January 21 – April 15 (except March 21) from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and at the Cherokee Nation Housing Services office, 1500 Hensley Drive, January 22 – April 12 from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

Pryor – Cherokee Heights, 133 Cherokee Heights, Mondays January 28 – April 14 (except February 19) from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. and First Baptist Church, 601 E. Graham, Tuesdays and Fridays January 23 – April 12 (except March 21) from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Sallisaw – Cherokee Nation Housing Services, J.T. Stiles and Cherokee (Hwy 64) on Tuesdays, January 22 – April 12 and on Wednesdays from January 30 – April 9 from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

Greasy – Greasy Community Building, Tuesdays February 5 and 19, March 4 and 18 and April 1 from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Stilwell – Hogner Heights, Cherokee Nation Housing Services, 160 Alene Drive, Tuesdays, January 29 – April 15, 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

Claremore – Cherokee Nation Housing Services, 23205 S. Hwy 66, Thursdays, January 24 – April 10 from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and at the Will Rogers Library, 1515 Florence, Thursdays, January 17, February 7 and March 6 and 20, from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Catoosa – Cherokee Village, Cherokee Nation Housing Services, 310 Chief Stand Watie, Thursdays, January 31 – April 10 from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

Vinita – Cherokee Nation Housing Services, 900 McNelis Ave. #31B, Thursdays, January 24, February 28 and March 27, from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Jay – Cherokee Nation Housing Services, 111 13th Street, Tuesdays, January 22 – April 12, from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

For more information on the tax preparation service, contact Pam Bakke, phone: 918-453-5347.