Tech students and faculty donate time to tax prep program

Typical Warrior fashion: Indiana Tech faculty looks for ways to provide unique, hands-on learning opportunities for their students, and members of the Warrior Nation come together to help the community.

It’s happening right now through April 13 in Fort Wayne. Gail Amstutz, assistant professor of accounting and finance; Lisa Brown, assistant professor of accounting; and Joni Larson, professor of law, along with students John Kochanski, Anna Magnuson, Jon Olinger and Breanna Post are donating their time to be part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). Through the VITA program, families and individuals making less than $54,000 per year can get free assistance with preparing their taxes.

Indiana Tech is proud to partner with the United Way of Allen County, Volunteer Center RSVP and Brightpoint to make this service happen. And, Amstutz, Brown and Larson are happy to make this opportunity available to students.

“Those who volunteer to participate in this program receive training and limited IRS certifications on tax law and affordable health care act tax law,” Amstutz said. “That alone is great experience for students considering accounting or tax law, but participants are also getting great face-to-face customer service experience. They can put this experience on their resumes and law students can apply this toward their pro bono quota.”

If you meet the qualification to receive tax preparation, see the information below.

Allen County

At St. Mary’s Catholic Church

1101 S. Lafayette St.

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 2-8 p.m.

Saturdays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

At American Red Cross

1212 California Rd.

Saturdays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Indiana Tech Law School will host two VITA sessions in February, but by appointment only. Call 2-1-1 to schedule.

DeKalb, Noble and Steuben counties

You must call 260.925.0917 to schedule and appointment.

Those who qualify for the VITA program are reminded by program organizers that they can prepare their taxes online at myfreetaxes.com.