Central College accounting faculty and students are offering free income tax preparation services for Marion County residents. This assistance is made possible through a grant from the Iowa Center for Economic Success, which Central has received for the past five years.
Students will prepare taxes on a volunteer basis under the supervision of Central’s accounting faculty through the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. The purpose of the program is to assist lower-income taxpayers with free tax preparation services. VITA services are open to taxpayers who have less than $79,000 in annual income, live in rural areas, are elderly or have a disability, or have limited English proficiency. Those who do not meet these criteria are welcome to make an appointment to learn to do taxes on their own.
“This program does so much good for the community as well as our students,” says Maggie Fisher Schlerman, associate professor of accounting and a 2002 Central graduate. “We have an opportunity for students planning to work in accounting, tax preparation and auditing fields to give their time and share their knowledge while helping others. In return, many deserving people can receive professional tax services at no cost.”
New for 2024, Central students and faculty will hold satellite drop-in clinics from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, March 2, at the Knoxville Public Library.
Appointments will be held in person during tax season at the Weller Center for Business and International Studies on Central’s campus. Appointments will be available from 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Appointments will not be held March 11-15 during spring break. The IRS will begin accepting tax returns Monday, Jan. 29.
To schedule an appointment, call or text 641-629-6729 or email centralcollegeVITA@central.edu.
