A&M International Accounting Students Offer Free Tax H

Members of Texas A&M International University's Student Accounting Society will join other Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) participants to provide free income tax preparation assistance to low-income, elderly, physically challenged, and non-English speaking taxpayers.

The A&M International students and other VITA volunteers will help community members with basic tax returns, primarily the 1040EZ, 1040A and the 1040, at no charge.

The free tax preparation assistance will be held through April 15 at the following times and locations: 7 - 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings at the McCauly Room in Mercy Regional Medical Center, 1515 Logan; and 7 - 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday evenings and 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday mornings at the Tanis Valdez Village Housing Project, 300 Allende.

Persons who wish to make use of the free tax preparation help must provide VITA volunteers with the following materials: their copy of this year's tax booklet and/or their tax booklet's address label, their W-2 and 1099 forms, information for other income and all deductions or credits, and, if possible, a copy of last year's tax return.

All VITA volunteers, including the A&M International students, have completed a special Internal Revenue Service training course and have been tested by the IRS to certify that they are qualified to prepare income tax returns.

The A&M International Student Accounting Society is comprised of accounting students and business students interested in accounting. The organization promotes professional development through a variety of activities, including participation in conferences and guest lectures. Persons who are interested in obtaining more information about the Student Accounting Society should contact the organization's faculty sponsor, Dr. Jacqueline Power, at 326-2505, or president, Minerva Ayala, at 790-3606.

Persons who need more information about VITA's free tax preparation assistance, should contact VITA's local coordinator Jeanette Elizondo at 726-2346.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu