March 08, 2004

SIUC accounting students offer free tax assistance

by Tom Woolf

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Accounting students from Southern Illinois University Carbondale are offering free income tax preparation help to low- and moderate-income and senior citizens in Jackson and Williamson counties.

The students, in the School of Accountancy in SIUC's College of Business and Administration, belong to Beta Alpha Psi, the national accounting fraternity. They are participating in the Volunteer Income Technical Assistance program, which offers free assistance to low- to moderate-income people (under $35,000 annually), and Tax Counseling for the Elderly, which provides free tax help to those 60 and older.

Those interested in receiving help do not need to make an appointment. However, they should bring appropriate documentation, including W-2 and 1099 forms, a Social Security card, a copy of their 2002 tax return and the amount of the advanced child tax credit received last summer or fall.

Here is the schedule:

  • March 16, 4-6 p.m., Senior Adult Services, 409 N. Springer St., Carbondale.
  • March 22, 3-5 p.m., Center for Independent Living, 100 N. Glenview, Suite 103, Carbondale.
  • March 25, 5-7 p.m., Carbondale Public Library, 405 W. Main St.
  • March 31, 4-6 p.m., Herrin City Library, 120 N. 13th St.
  • April 7, 2-4 p.m., Murphysboro Senior Center, 17 N. 14th St.
  • April 8, 5-7 p.m., Good Samaritan House, 701 S. Marion, Carbondale.

The Beta Alpha Psi members also are working with SIUC's Community Outreach Partnership to provide tax assistance at the Eurma C. Hayes Center, 441 E. Willow St., Carbondale. Help is available on the following dates and times: March 17, 5-8 p.m.; March 20, 9 a.m.-noon; March 31, 5-8 p.m.; and April 3, 9 a.m.-noon.

Those interested in receiving help at the Eurma C. Hayes Center must schedule an appointment; to do so, call Kevin Clark at 618/549-0341.

Serving others is among the goals of Southern@150, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.