San Juan College’s Four Corners Tax Help Returned $1.475 Million in 2025

San Juan College reported that its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, known locally as Four Corners Tax Help, generated $1.475 million in tax refunds for clients in 2025, including $571,973 in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refunds and 1,893 tax returns submitted. The college’s marketing and public relations release dated March 2, 2026, described the 2025 total as an increase from 1,515 returns completed in 2024.

The program operates across six sites in the Four Corners region and offers multiple service models to reach clients. San Juan College describes a no-wait drop-off option where clients drop off paperwork and return only to sign before electronic filing. Four Corners Tax Help also provides virtual access by phone, email, mail, a secure portal or video meeting, and a published schedule lists free tax preparation on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through April 13th (year not specified in scheduling notices). The program accepts prior-year and amended returns and—per program notices—will prepare 2020 tax-year returns and file them electronically.

Volunteers and student participants make up the program’s staffing. The college’s summary states that in 2025 eight volunteers logged a combined 1,620 hours of service, primarily students from the School of Business, with an instructor providing oversight and guidance. Volunteers must complete IRS certification to prepare returns; program materials note a four-part IRS certification test for preparers. One student, accounting major Tiffany Barbone, described the work: “It's not hard. It's a little bit challenging but I'm okay with it,” and added, “I'm up for a challenge.” Program instructor Elliott said, “Sometimes we have students that just get addicted to preparing taxes and they want to come back every year.”

Partners for the service include the San Juan College School of Business, the Center for Workforce Development, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and Tax Counseling for the Elderly. The program prioritizes low to moderate income households, taxpayers with disabilities, limited English-speaking taxpayers and people age 60 or older. A Four Corners Low Income Taxpayer Clinic provides representation for low-income and limited English taxpayers with IRS disputes by appointment.

Clients are advised to bring photo ID, Social Security cards and all income paperwork such as W-2s, interest statements and 1099 forms. To schedule or get details, call 505-566-3314 or 970-553-9150, or email 4cornerstaxhelp@gmail.com. For college marketing inquiries, contact Elizabeth Jacobo at jacoboe@sanjuancollege.edu or (505) 566-3747.

Notes on reporting detail: the college release gives the aggregate 2025 figures; a separate local account states “students volunteer a total of 150 hours,” a phrase that is ambiguous relative to the college’s 1,620-hour total and may reflect a different timeframe or subgroup. Calendar references that state a Jan. 18 start date and an April 13 end date do not specify year in available notices; program organizers may clarify site-level schedules and the scope of accepted prior-year returns on request.