SUNY Canton Volunteer Tax Prep Services Expand Off Campus

• by SUNY Canton

CANTON, NY (02/03/2010)(readMedia)-- SUNY Canton Accounting students will be offering free tax return preparation for the community and have expanded to off-campus locations in Canton and Massena.

For the fifth straight year, students will be working with the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to help low- and moderate-income individuals and families prepare their taxes.

The qualifying income bracket for participants is a gross income below $49,000, according to the IRS. Students from SUNY Canton serve as VITA volunteers to increase their own tax preparation skills and help community members learn to file their own taxes.

"We emphasize confidentiality and require a high-level of professionalism," said Assistant Professor of Accounting Peggy J. Jenkins. "Our fully-qualified and IRS certified students have practiced their preparation skills and are ready to help. We are offering our services at more locations with the hopes of helping more people than ever before."

Student volunteers will be available when the college is in session in Payson Hall Room 208 until April 8th at the following times:

• Mondays - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tuesdays - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Wednesdays - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursdays - 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Assistance will also be available off campus from:

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5, and Friday, March 5, at the One-Stop Career Center in Canton.
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, and Friday, March 12, at the Massena Unemployment Office.

Appointments are strongly encouraged and are required for military and foreign student returns.

Individuals or families who would like assistance must bring all W2 forms, the previous year's tax returns and all other pertinent documents with them at the time of their appointment. For more information, contact Jenkins at jenkinsp@canton.edu or call (315) 386-7979.

SUNY Canton offers a wide variety of career-driven bachelor's, associate, and certificate programs. Most of SUNY Canton's new four-year programs are designed so students can take them on-campus, online, or both. SUNY Canton OnLine features more than 100 courses online each semester. The College's athletic teams belong to the NAIA's Sunrise Conference, enabling students to compete in their respective sports for four years. Construction is now underway for the College's new Convocation, Athletic, and Recreation Center.

-www.canton.edu-