Gordon Institute, United Way Bringing VITA Back To Kosciusko
The William P. Gordon Institute for Enterprise Development through the School of Business at Grace College and the United Way of Kosciusko County will partner again this year to host an IRS endorsed “Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)” Program in Kosciusko County during the months of February and March 2015.
VITA offers free tax assistance to qualifying taxpayers (individual or family income under $53,000) who require assistance in preparing their own tax returns. In order to provide this service, the William P. Gordon Institute and the United Way are seeking volunteers who are willing to help serve the Kosciusko community. Volunteers 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 the program is a synergistic opportunity for everyone in our community. “The Gordon Institute in collaboration with the United Way of Kosciusko County is excited to use VITA as a platform to serve the community. We hope to see Grace students and community friends get involved in the VITA program. 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 quality control person, should contact Al Grossnickle at the Gordon Institute office, (574) 372-5100 ext. 6094. Those interested in finding out more about how the VITA program might help them can schedule an appointment by calling the 211 scheduling service.
Appointments will begin Feb. 3 and will be available every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the Grace College Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center and selected Saturdays at IVY Tech during February. There will be dates also available in March.
Related Article: IRS Endorsed Tax Program Offering Free Service