CONTACT: Andrew Oden, Public Relations Intern
Houghton College Students Offer Free Tax Preparation
HOUGHTON, N.Y. – For more than 10 years, students and faculty from the Houghton College business department have offered free income tax preparation to area residents in Allegany County. The tradition continues this year. From February 10 to March 31, 2010, students and community members can visit the Houghton campus on Wednesday evenings to receive help with their tax preparation.
Lois Ross, associate professor of accounting, serves as the faculty advisor of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This year 11 students are participating in the program. The VITA program, co-sponsored by Houghton College and the IRS, offers free tax preparation for low- to moderate- income ($49,000 and below) individuals and families seeking help with preparing their tax returns.
The IRS provides free electronic filing for taxpayers who have their returns prepared by VITA volunteers. Electronic filing is quicker than filing a paper return and will decrease the wait time for refund checks. Both federal and New York returns can be prepared.
The VITA program requires that all student volunteers pass online tests before being certified to prepare tax returns. Not only do the students provide a service to their community, they benefit through gaining experience. Professor Ross cited, “Many of this year’s student volunteers are accounting majors and are interested in becoming a CPA at some point down the road.” Erica Bush, a senior at Houghton College and student coordinator of the VITA program, stated, “A common time for companies to hire more employees is during tax season. This experience will give these students a head start.”
Tax preparation is available from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday
nights, starting February 10 and going through March 31, with
the exception of February 24. It is also available on Saturday,
March 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are necessary and
can be scheduled by contacting Erica Bush at
Erica.Bush10@houghton.edu or by calling the Houghton College
Public Events Office at 585.567.9210 Monday through Friday
between 8:30 a.m. and
3:30 p.m.
