Dependen By CAREY ZEISER April 15 is getting closer, and many students feel they are up to their ears in tax forms. Some believe they can reap more benefits if they declare themselves financially independent, but many students are not aware that dependent students are also eligible for some benefits. Tax credits are one example. "MANY STUDENTS qualify for (tax credits) and don't even know it," said Debi Hunt, H & R Block Public Information Coordinator. Tax credits, especially rent, home heating, and property tax credits, are available to students who live off-campus, said Doug Graham, a volunteer tax advisor for VITA, a free tax help program sponsored by Project Community and the Internal Revenue Service. Tlhese credits could reduce the amount of income tax students have to pay, said Graham, an LSA junior, and students who are either intimidated by the tax process itself or feel there are no benefits in ctfi er them man he missing mot on an easv profit. The Michigan Daily - Tuesday. February 14, 1984 - Page 5 ts can get tax breaks VITA TAX advisor John Borradel stressed that students do not have to be financially independent to receive tax credits. Although only financially independent students are eligible for home heating credit, Borradel said that bdth independent and dependent students may qualify to receive property tax credit "worth a decent amount of money." The best way to win tax benefits is to understand the basics of the tax system and to play by the rules, said Kathy Konno, another VITA volunteer. SOME STUDENTS unlawfully declare financial independence to earn tax breaks or get University financial aid, said Graham. Other students whose parents live outside of the state unlawfully try to declare themselves indepen- dent in order to reduce their tuition bills by claiming Michigan residency, added Graham. According to the IRS, people are dependent on another source of income if they: " Obtain 50 percent of their financial support from "haarea member of that household; " are citizens of the United States; e " have not filed a joint return with a different sour- ce; and " have a yearly income of no more than $1,000 (ex- cept students and anyone under 19 years). Students who lie about financial independence 11 have a hard time remaining undiscovered, Graf m said. He said the IRS is becoming more computerized and can compare student tax forms with their paren- ts' forms to confirm independent status. And, he added, "Even if the government doesn't catch you, the University will." LYNN BORSET, assistant director of the Univer- sity's Office of Financial Aid said the office "has been looking at self-supporting status more carefully" when reviewing applications for aid. Borset estimated that about 10 to 15 percent of ail applicants were caught lying about their independent status. She added, however, that she doesn't see this as a rising trend. I SWiC LUi UIVALi 111C1y r~G 1111s' OIA15 Vua. V11 "&a VfiN ] i!a Daily Photo by SCOTT ZOLTON I scream Passersby yesterday look into the Caffe Fiore, a new ice cream parlor on State Street. Icreases in dorm* fees recommended (Continued from Page 1) submitted by the rate study committee will be absorbed by a decrease in the funds to the General Student Residence Reserve. The GSRR is the fund that the housing division uses to pay for major projects and renovations. Foulke said that the funds from the non-traditional halls will not be expected to support the GSRR as they have in the past. The recommended hike of 3 per- cent for non-traditional housing is a reaction to the increased competition for off-campus housing, the report said. The proposed rate hike is relatively low t4 low the University to remain com- petitive with off-campus housing. The5.8 percent increase in the rates for family housing is primarily due to the increase in utilities within family housing. Foulke said that "5.1 percent of the recommended 5.8 percent increase is just to cover utilities." Foulke added that the cost of utilities is not as high in the residence halls, so the rate increase there could be lower. the main reason for increasing fees cited by the original committee that studied rates was an increase of 2.2 percent for labor and equipment. * ~ Z ".94, . 1 Z.,. i an Farmhands to sue for damages (Continued from Page) BARTNICKI SAID he will seek damages from the Kozminskis for violating the minimum wage law, in- voluntary servitude, assault and bat- tery, (absence of) workmen's compen-- sation, and mental distress. "We will probably ask for a different amount in each count," Bartnicki said. "Lost wages alone might amount to $1 million." Because the Kozminskis were already convicted of involuntary ser- vitude, Bartnicki predicted his case could go to court within a couple of months, considerably quicker than the usual two-year period it takes to try these types of cases, he said. BEFORE ANY damages can be awarded, the Kozminski's resources have to be determined. "It seems that they have resources," Bartnicki said. "They've been sued before and have already testified under oath (about their financial resources). They own three farms; I believe they are of means," Bartnicki said. Although there have been 10 cases similar to this one in the United States, Bartnicki said that this is the first one in Michigan and that most of the others dealt with migrant workers. Bartnicki said Fulmer and Molitoris, currently living in a foster care home run by the Michigan Department of Social Services, have been told about 'he suit and are "pretty wel aware" of what is going on. INTRODUCING THE NUVISION COLLEGE SPECIAL. $99" $18900* * Extended Wear Spherical Soft Contact Lenses. $100 OFF * All Eyeglasses and Sunglasses. $99 $8900*: eNon-Specialty Soft Contact Lenses from Bausch & Lomb and American Hydron. *contact lens prices include eye examination, follow-up visits, and 30-day rial wearing plan. - - --------T IPresent this coupon at time of purchase. Name iAddress -Apt.- I CityI ! State_ _ Zip College/University F I I I I I I I I I I I I I MISSJi --..4 , e t Bid3t tPrint or Type legibly in ---3UMMER3UBLEt the space provided, the copy as you wou d ~ ~3 UPPLEMENE~ like it to appear. (ACTUAL SIZE OF AD) NAME ADDRESSU PHONE__ Mail or Bring in Person with payment to: 1 420 MAYNARD STREET MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: THE MICHIGAN DAILY ONLY $14 before 5:00 p.m. February 29, 1984 ($16 from March 1ito March 16) -NO REFUNDS- Absolutely NO ADS will be accepted after March 16 (No photos or line art allowed; no type printed sideways or upside SUPPLEMENT WILL APPEAR SATURDAY, MARCH 24 down.) I - ----------- --- i Ir/ TasteTenpting Sirloin Tips Dinners t i -Ithi the Worlds nTu' Best SaladBuffet. 9 ,01 I - 2 tortep THl *1 COt PO\t it" I FASHION 7 V FLASH Discover the impact . technology Body clinging architectural } designs and metallic zipper details in nylon, Sophisticated separates...and w accessories in our Miss J Shop for young women.. Airforce _ ___ pant in red; 4,.) teal, grey t'i or black. Sizes 3-13, $29. Jacket, zip-off sleeves in f black or grey. "tq. Sizes S-M-L, $56. Leather shoe by Bass® in grey, / . './r j.0 tl d # yN x a'C rt t ti R. f hR w 1P y F ^w . a$ t t"! k k i f i 1 i 1 i That'steondero:a heUSA, Th igetLittle SteakhouseCnteUA The Bigg to resist flame-broiled sirloin tips, smothered Sonios and mushrooms, served with etatoand isiresistible! Bggest, Best Salad Buffet, hot soup, baed porstab an with butter. And now, even the pr noice saw ~ . wieon Lun~ch Special! Ribe a, orst, Ribe or Big Chopped World's Bigg Sig C p Dper Steak Dinners Best Sincludes Steak Diners 2 for $6.99 Bufotsoup)with s S nSirloin Tipsh soup) t S DSirloinTis Dinners 2.99 ' Dinners2for $799 A2MPMon.9 ru -I Sge2ser $7.9 Eess t d WorldsBiggest. Best Salad Bufet" includes Worlds B eta d euttet (all-yo eet bauked a t1AM 4M. adu San t - Buffet" (allrumcan eat bakepo a-o u-ndwarmroll wthrbutter. oui c e a - used 9ith other discounts. Tax not potato and wr rl dwt utter c n n t niL At aric patng s uts ncl. At participating steakhouses.