Stephen F. Austin State University students in the Rusche College of Business are offering free tax-preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Clinic.
The services are available to those with an annual income of $54,000 or less, people with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers.
This is the first time the university will offer the clinic on campus and the first time partnering with the Marleta Chadwick Student Financial advisors, which is a student organization that emphasizes financial literacy and smart money management.
Students will be providing tax services from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Feb. 9 and April 9 at the Chadwick Student Financial Advisors Suite in the McGee Business Building, Room 169, on the university’s campus.
Additional tax services will be offered at the Nacogdoches Goodwill, located at 503 E. Main St. Students will assist taxpayers there on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m. beginning Jan. 30.
Taxpayers can visit Goodwill from 2 to 6 p.m. Fridays beginning Feb. 2 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following Saturdays: Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24, March 3 and 10, and April 7 and 14.
Kacie Czapla, senior lecturer at SFA and clinic supervisor, teaches an individual income tax course, and many of her students are participating in this experiential-learning opportunity along with the student financial advisors and members of Beta Alpha Psi, an honor organization for financial students and professionals.
“This experience helps students gain a better understating of tax,” Czapla said. “They also interact with community members while providing a much-needed service free of charge.”
For information on what to bring to the VITA clinic, visit https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-you-by-volunteers.
By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.
