Free tax help is available for those who need it and Grand Valley State University is a host site.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance through United Way offers help to a number of people. Some of those providing assistance are grad students in the Seidman College of Business. It turns out it adds up to be a win-win situation for all involved.
If you need a little help with your taxes, you may be luck. Grand Valley State University is a host site for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, or VITA. It provides help for those making a certain dollar amount, have a disability or consider English as a second language.
Here’s Stacey Elliott, Site Coordinator for Vita:
“So, the Vita program is a volunteer program that prepares tax returns for those with incomes is below 55-thousand dollars. So they call 2-1-1 and get an appointment. Then they come to Grand Valley and we have student volunteers who will do their tax return for free.”
IRS-certified volunteers are on hand along with students at the Seidman Center on the Pew Campus on Saturdays through mid-April.
“Our students are all accounting majors; some have done tax internships and some are enrolled in individual tax course. They have to take a training and complete tax certifications and then they are able to prepare the tax returns.”
Elliott says the tax preparation is a win-win for those involved.
“We are able to help community members who might not be able to pay someone to help do their taxes and students get real-world experience with tax law, using software, learning how to do tax returns as well as client service.”
Elliott says the tax returns are being done on Saturdays once Spring Break is over, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Seidman College of Business. The service runs through April 13th. Just call 2-1-1 to set up an appointment.
