The University of Wisconsin-Waukesha is registering students for spring semester, which starts January 22. After being admitted, students deposit $100 toward their tuition before registering for classes. The student then can make arrangements for future payment of the remainder, that is, $2150.45 for full-time students.

With free electronic filing and direct deposit, the student could have the actual refund, with no interest or penalties, available when the tuition payment comes due.

“Wisconsin should know that a RAL is not the only resort – other options are available,” according to Secretary of Revenue Michael L. Morgan.  “Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites . . . provide free tax preparation assistance around the state.”

For more information about VITA, check the DOR Web site at: http://www.revenue.wi.gov/faqs/pcs/vita.html and type in VITA. By e-filing a return, the taxpayer can have any refund directly deposited into his/her checking/savings account within a matter of days, all free of charge.

To help those without a checking/savings account, several dozen VITA sites have partnered with local financial institutions to offer taxpayers the opportunity to open a personal checking/savings account while visiting the VITA site. The refund then can be deposited directly into that account within a few days. With it, the new account holders also would be building their credit histories and could save money they otherwise might have been spending on check-cashing services.

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