Cresson, Pa. - Area residents seeking help with their tax returns can get an assist this year from Mount Aloysius College’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA is now in its fourth year at Mount Aloysius College.  Members of the Student Accounting Society (SAS) have received training by a Pittsburgh-based IRS representative. Student VITA volunteers will set up shop in Academic Hall throughout the month of February.  The program starts February 1 and will be available to a limited number of area residents until April 17th.

Mount Aloysius President Tom Foley noted that the response from business student volunteers is heartening but not surprising. “Every club at Mount Aloysius College has a community service component built right into the club’s constitution,” said President Foley. ”Last fall 531 students contributed almost 9,000 hours of service to 195 different community organizations through 322 different projects. Giving back to our community is central part to our educational mission here,” he said. “At Mount Aloysius, our goal is to provide an education that empowers our students to develop as job-ready, technology-ready and community-ready leaders. This kind of direct community interaction allows students to experience the power of giving back to their community. It is a habit that marks a full life of service.”

Residents must qualify to use the IRS’s VITA program. VITA is geared for low to moderate income families with incomes of $50,000 and below. Mount Aloysius College volunteers are accounting majors and MBA grad students who have earned IRS certification during intensive training at the College. All students are volunteers. 

In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, Most Aloysius College, like most VITA sites also offers free electronic filing (e-filing). Individuals taking advantage of the e-file program should receive refunds in half the time compared to paper returns – even faster when tax refunds are deposited directly into a bank account.

Anyone who qualifies and who wishes to use the Mount Aloysius College’s VITA program should treat the service no differently than if they were going to an accountant. Items needed to complete their return may include: proof of identification; Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration; Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter for you, your spouse and dependents; Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN; birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return; Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers; interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099); a copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available; proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit, such as a blank check; total paid for daycare providers and the daycare provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number); and To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

Area residents in need of assistance with their taxes should call (814) 886-6399.  Callers should leave their name and number. A Mount Aloysius College VITA volunteer will contact callers promptly. Once scheduled, VITA clients should report to Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, PA., Academic Hall, room 211.

Back row, standing from left are: MAC student Tanner Thomas; Mr. Patrick Price, IRS senior tax consultant, Tax Payer Education Division, Pittsburgh Office; students Blaise Pezek and Anthony Hinish; Dr. Gary A. Hypes, JD, CPA, CGMA ; Business Department Chairman, Christopher Mingyar and student Luca Farina. Middle row, sitting from left are: Alex Mezza; Danielle McKnight; Chelsea Perehinec and Robin Hypes. Kneeling in front from L to R: Courtney Duvorick; Aaron Russell, and PattiJo Hager.