Ivy Tech Bloomington provides free tax preparation assistance for low-income families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2012

Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus, in coordination with the Internal Revenue Service and the City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources, are providing free tax preparation services for low-income households through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program.

“Ivy Tech Bloomington’s Income Tax accounting classes have completed more than 2,500 tax returns for low-income families in our area since 2004, demonstrating our campus commitment to modeling a service-oriented learning environment,” said Chancellor John Whikehart. “Ivy Tech students have generated total refunds of more than $3,500,000 for families in our communities, with almost $1,800,000 in the last two years.”

“The VITA program at Ivy Tech combines academic study and community service,” said Steve Englert, Ivy Tech Accounting Program Chair. “A textbook cannot show a student how to relate to taxpayers.”

Free tax assistance at Ivy Tech will be held by appointment only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and Fridays and Saturdays now through March 6 on the main campus in B201, in the Connie and Steve Ferguson Academic Building.

VITA is a volunteer-based program which gives low-to-moderate income residents an opportunity to receive free tax preparation and electronic filing of their federal and Indiana tax returns.

To make an appointment for the VITA program at Ivy Tech call (812) 332-1559, ext. 0. Ivy Tech’s Bloomington campus is located at 200 Daniels Way on the west side of Bloomington.