Gordon Institute, United Way Partner To Host Tax Assistance Program
Posted
Staff Report-
WINONA LAKE – 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 to host an IRS-endorsed “Volunteer Income Tax Assistance” program in Kosciusko County in February and March. 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 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, according to the provided release. 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, the release states. William P. Gordon Institute’s VITA representative, Al Grossnickle, said the program is a “synergistic opportunity for everyone in our community,” according to the release. “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 is quoted as saying. Anyone interested in volunteering as a tax preparer, screener/greeter or quality control person can contact Grossnickle at the Gordon Institute office at 574-372-5100, Ext. 6094. To find out more about how the VITA program might help, 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.
