Cal State Bakersfield accounting students are offering free simple tax return preparations for the public on Saturdays through April 10.

Cal State Bakersfield is hosting one of several sites in Kern County this year for the national Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

CSUB students will be preparing returns on campus from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays under the supervision of accounting professor Jim Patten. This is the 12th year the university has sponsored a program site.

"I have yet to have a client call back with a problem," Patten said.

Students will prepare 1040EZ and 1040A returns and California 540EZ and 540A returns. They will also prepare some simple long form 1040 and 540 returns. Patten said students won't prepare returns for people who own a small business, rental property or have capital gains or losses

"It isn't that we can't handle it. It's just that we don't have the time," Patten said, but "if someone comes in with itemized deductions and they're organized, we can do it."

He said he expects the 25 student volunteers to prepare about 700 returns this tax season.

Participants need copies of their 2002 tax returns, 2003 W-2 forms and 1099s, and all taxpayer and dependent Social Security numbers and dates of birth.

The program is done in the second floor lobby of the Business Development Center on the CSUB campus, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Free parking is available in lots E and J.

Patten said paying a professional for the same service can cost anywhere from $40 to $150 for the most simple tax returns.

Electronic filing will be available for both state and federal returns.

Appointments are booked about two weeks in advance, Patten said. Call him for an appointment at 664-2339. Also, tax professionals interested in sponsoring a new or existing program site or becoming a volunteer can call Patten.