Accounting Students to Provide Free Tax Preparation Assistance

Junior and senior accounting students from DeSales University will once again provide tax preparation assistance free of charge to senior citizens and those with lower incomes beginning Monday, January 22 through Wednesday, March 28.

The initiative is part of the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This marks the eighteenth consecutive year that DeSales students have participated in the program.

Since it was first offered, DeSales students have completed more than 4,300 tax returns for more than 1,950 Lehigh Valley taxpayers. Students are required to pass a test given by the IRS in order to receive certification to participate.

The program is sponsored by the IRS and supervised by Dr. Christopher R. Cocozza, division head of DeSales University’s Division of Business and professor of business. Cocozza has served as VITA coordinator since the program was initiated at DeSales in 2001.

To schedule a VITA appointment, individuals can call 610.282.1100, ext. 1868.

A DeSales student will return the phone call and provide assistance accordingly. All appointments will take place at DeSales University’s Center Valley campus. Individuals needing assistance should bring all printed tax information and all documents pertaining to federal, state, and local taxes with them to their appointment.