Bemidji State Students Offer Free Tax Help Through IRS VITA Program

Certified accounting students at Bemidji State University are preparing federal and state tax returns for free every Wednesday afternoon in Memorial Hall, Room 250, as part of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, with sessions running through April 15.

The service is open to people who generally earn $67,000 or less with no Schedule C income, as well as persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and limited-English speaking taxpayers who need help preparing their returns.

BSU's Department of Accountancy has offered the annual free federal and state tax preparation and e-filing program for more than 25 years, sponsored by the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. This year's sessions cover both federal and state returns, including eFiling.

Students who have completed BSU's Tax I course and passed IRS certification tests are hosting the weekly assistance sessions on Wednesday evenings from 4 to 6 p.m. in Memorial Hall, Room 250. The service is first-come, first-served and no appointments are needed, but filers must arrive before 5:30 p.m. to receive assistance. Sessions continue through April 15.

The VITA service is coordinated by Dr. Jeffery Everhart, associate professor of accountancy at BSU. Everhart's office is located in Memorial Hall, the same building where VITA sessions are held.

Taxpayers who plan to attend should bring all necessary tax documents. A list of required documents is available on BSU's website for those attending a VITA session. The IRS website also provides additional guidance on what to expect from a VITA appointment.

Self-employed filers with Schedule C business income fall outside the program's eligibility guidelines and will need to seek assistance elsewhere. For everyone else who qualifies, the remaining Wednesday sessions between now and April 15 represent one of the few no-cost, in-person tax preparation options available in Beltrami County before the federal filing deadline.