Messiah College students provide free help with income taxes

GRANTHAM, Pa. (Jan. 31, 2007) — Messiah College students will help area residents prepare their income tax returns—free of charge—beginning Feb. 5 through April 13 at several local sites. Primarily benefiting the elderly, low-income residents and persons with a disability, the service was created to serve those who cannot afford professional tax help.

The program, now in its 23rd year, is part of the students’ credit for Basic Income Tax Preparation, a course coordinated by Gary Page, associate professor of accounting at the college. Sponsored by the IRS as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, the students are trained to help others prepare federal income tax forms 1040A, 1040EZ and the basic 1040. The students are trained to look for eligible exemptions, deductions and special credits, and will also provide assistance with state and local forms.

Taxpayers interested in this service should bring their tax packages, W-2 forms, interest statements and other pertinent tax documents to one of the following locations from Feb. 5 through April 13 (except from March 19 to 22; students are dismissed for spring break):

Mondays, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. — The Evergreen Dining Room of the main building at Messiah Village, 100 Mount Allen Drive, Mechanicsburg;

Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. — The Hobby Room of the Allegheny Building at Messiah Village;

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. — New Hope Ministries, Six North Second Street, Dillsburg;

Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. — Kline Hall of Science, Room 106, Messiah College, Grantham;

Fridays, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Mechanicsburg Public Library; 16 N. Walnut Street, Mechanicsburg.

For more information, interested individuals may call Gary Page at (717) 766-2511, ext. 7300.

Messiah College consistently finishes first or second among Pennsylvania colleges in pass rates for the four parts of the national Certified Pubic Accountant (CPA) exam. An average of more than 30 percent of Messiah CPA candidates pass all four sections, surpassing the national average, which is between 12–15 percent.