For the third year in a row, Central College and its 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.

Students will prepare taxes on a volunteer basis under the supervision of 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. Generally, the VITA services are open to taxpayers with less than $58,000 in annual income; limited English speakers; and those with disabilities. Those who do not meet these criteria are welcome to make an appointment, in-person or virtual, to learn to do taxes on their own.

"Working with students to support our community is one of the most fulfilling parts of my job," says Maggie Fisher Schlerman, associate professor of accounting and a 2002 Central graduate. "Not only are students gaining valuable experience in tax preparation, but they're also developing relationships with members of our wider community. I love it when a student is requested by name. It shows they've done a great job and built some trust."

Clinics will be held during tax season in person with proper safety protocols at the Weller Center for Business and International Studies on Central's campus. Clients also will have the option to conduct appointments virtually. Appointments will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Appointments will not be held March 12-19 during spring break. The program will begin scheduling appointments Monday, Jan. 24.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call or text 641-629-6729 or email centralcollegeVITA@central.edu.

Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private, four-year liberal arts college. Central is known for its academic rigor and leadership formation and for cultivating diversity of thought and culture through the arts and sciences, professional fields of study and experiential learning.

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