BLOOMINGTON — Free tax assistance is available through a partnership between the Maurer School of Law and United Way of South Central Indiana.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program — also known as VITA — runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday nights in room 121 at Baier Hall.
The program is completely run by IU law students and volunteers and is available to anyone who made under $67,000 last year. W-2 forms, documents from other income sources, a valid ID and a social security card are required.
“Taxes can be a stressful time for people,” said Georgelyne Jean-Pierre, a third year law student and VITA volunteer. “Pretty much everyone has to do it.”
She also said the program is valuable hands-on experience for students.
“Not only do they get that core, personal interaction, but they also get to expand their tax preparation skills,” she said. “It’s one thing when you’re sitting in an intro to income tax class, and it’s a totally different thing actually working with the form and working with the people.”
The program helped collect more than $100,000 in federal and state tax returns last year.
“I think it’s worthwhile to be able to give back to our community, grow our tax preparation skills, and — most importantly — help people through a difficult time,” Jean-Pierre said.
The program will run through March 21.
