CARBONDALE (SIU NEWS) — Southern Illinois University Carbondale is taking the stress and expense out of income tax season by offering free income tax preparation services from a group of specially trained volunteers.
The School of Accountancy, in the College of Business and Analytics, is offering the popular, free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to low- and moderate-income community members and students again in 2026.
“VITA is a great annual event that provides an opportunity for SIU accounting students to give back to our larger community,” said Lane Dowell, a third-year law student from Mason City, Illinois, who will complete his dual Juris Doctor and Master of Accounting degree this semester. He is serving as VITA coordinator this year. “VITA puts the technical skills acquired in class into practice through hands-on income tax preparation while providing a conducive environment for students to develop the soft skills that are important when working with clients.”
The tax preparation program will be offered on the following Saturdays: Feb. 21 and 28, March 21 and 28 and April 4. Community members can receive the service each day from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the computer lab on the lower level of Rehn Hall, 1025 Lincoln Drive.
In addition, volunteers will offer free tax preparation just for SIU students Feb. 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30.
SIU student volunteers have offered the free tax preparation each year for more than a quarter century, according to Benna Williams, associate lecturer in the School of Accountancy, CPA and former tax practitioner.
Each student tax preparer is an IRS-certified volunteer and has successfully completed three certifications, including mandatory ethics and tax examination training. In addition, team leaders Dowell, fellow VITA coordinator Lexie Lingle and faculty participated in advanced training as they prepared to lead the team of predominately accounting students.
Each student donates considerable time and energy to prepare tax returns, saving qualifying community members and students hundreds of dollars, organizers say.
Lingle, a Master of Accountancy student from Anna, Illinois, specializing in taxation, said this is her fourth year.
“I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the tax field outside of a traditional internship,” Lingle said. “Though my roles as a preparer, reviewer and now coordinator, VITA has been instrumental in developing my technical skills and confidence while reinforcing the importance of service. I truly enjoy assisting community members with tax preparation, and I’m excited to help provide other students with the same meaningful learning and service opportunities that have been so impactful for me.”
Dowell said 20-30 students will be honing their accounting skills while serving the community. He and Lingle, along with Williams, will assist with questions and review completed returns.
The free tax preparation services are available to any U.S. citizen, single or married, as long as their income doesn’t exceed $69,000 and they take the standard federal deduction.
The university’s VITA volunteers will prepare tax returns that include:
- Wages/salaries.
- Interest income.
- Received dividends.
- State tax refunds.
- Unemployment benefits.
- IRA distributions.
- Pension income.
- Social Security benefits.
- Simple capital gains or losses.
- Self-employment income.
- Winnings from gambling.
- Education credits.
- Earned income credit.
- Child tax credit.
- Limited itemized deductions.
The VITA students can only complete and file domestic tax returns. However, SIU international students and employees may submit their information to getyourrefund.org/Franklin, another VITA site with international certifications, to have their returns completed for free, Williams said.
In addition, SIU’s VITA students won’t be able to prepare tax returns for people if their returns involve:
- Schedule C with losses.
- Complicated capital gains and losses (Schedule D).
- Nondeductible IRA (Form 8606).
- Investment income for a minor (Form 8615).
- Determination of worker status for purposes of federal employment taxes and income tax withholding (Form SS-8).
- Premium tax credits (Parts 4 and 5 of Form 8962).
To receive assistance, community members must bring all vital documents, including legal photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport or state ID, along with Social Security cards and other required documents. Preparers must see state-issued ID and Social Security cards to verify identification before they can begin work on any return. Photocopies or just providing the information will not suffice. Bring the documents and birth dates for the spouse and dependents as well, if applicable.
In addition, bring all essential tax documents, including official wage, earnings, interest and dividend statements and copies of the previous year’s state and federal tax returns, if available. Those who claim child care credit should bring the day care provider’s tax identification number (either Social Security number or business employer identification number) and the total amount paid for child care. If people obtain insurance through the “Marketplace”, they must also bring Form 1095-A, the Health Insurance Marketplace Statement.
Failing to present all required information and documents may result in the VITA volunteers being unable to complete and file the return on-site or delay or hinder payment of any income tax refund, Williams said.
Those who anticipate receiving a refund should bring a blank check or other proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit.
The team will not only complete the tax forms for free, but the service also includes e-filing. Organizers note that married couples planning to file a joint return must both be present to sign the completed forms.
The VITA services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and no appointments are required. Anyone who arrives late in the morning or during exceptionally busy times may be asked to return later or on another Saturday if necessary to allow sufficient time for the preparers to complete their tax returns. Typically, returns are completed within a couple of hours.
“Hundreds of community members have benefitted from SIU’s VITA program since its inception, and it presents our accounting students with a unique opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in a true-life situation as they have a significant impact for area residents,” Williams said. “This program illustrates SIU’s commitment to community service and hands-on learning as the VITA students provide free, great-quality tax preparation services to individuals and families in need.”
For more information, visit the VITA website, email vita@business.siu.edu or call 618-453-2289.
