Grace College and it’s William P. Gordon Institute for Enterprise Development along with the United Way of Kosciusko County will partner again this year to host an IRS-endorsed VITA Program in Kosciusko County during February and March. Grace College students and community volunteers will work with individuals to meet their tax filing needs.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax preparation to elderly, disabled, and lower-income individuals filing a basic tax return.
Volunteers who are willing to help serve the Kosciusko community in this endeavor are needed. They will undergo certification training, though professional tax preparers may opt out of training and complete a test online for certification.
VITA aims to help working families take advantage of all tax credits for which they are eligible, including earned income tax credit, child tax credits and education credits. This not only assists the individual family, but also increases tax dollars in the county.
William P. Gordon Institute’s VITA Representative Al Grossnickle said that the program is a synergistic opportunity for everyone in our community. “The Gordon Institute is excited to serve the community through VITA. We hope to involve many Grace College students and community friends in VITA this year. Volunteers will get a unique, hands-on learning experience and the community recipients will benefit from free tax assistance,” he said.
Anyone interested in volunteering as a tax preparer, screener/greeter or in quality control, should contact Al Grossnickle at (574) 372-5100 ext. 6091. Appointments will begin February 1 and will be available every Monday through Thursday at the Grace College Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center and selected Saturdays at IVY Tech and Grace College during February and March. For more information, please visit here.