GRAND RAPIDS – Student and faculty volunteers from Davenport University are trained and ready to kick off free income tax preparation sessions, available to low- and middle- income tax-filers (less than $58,000 in total family income) at locations across West Michigan.

Every year, millions of dollars in tax refunds and credits go unclaimed by those who need them the most. Taking advantage of free tax preparation services help West Michigan families receive tax refunds and credits that enable them to stay in their homes, feed their families, keep the lights on, and save for tomorrow.

Volunteers are providing assistance in conjunction with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, a cooperative effort of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and nonprofit groups that train volunteers to prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. As volunteers, accounting students have been certified by the IRS to participate. Accounting students from Davenport University will be joined by their peers from Aquinas College, Cornerstone University and Grand Rapids Community College as well as members of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA).

?Through the VITA program, Davenport?s accounting students gain valuable real-world experience,? said Judy Knapp, VITA Program Manager and Accounting Honors Program Coordinator at Davenport University. ?At the same time, students are able to serve their community by helping low-income families receive the refunds they deserve. Our communities also benefit when these taxpayer refunds and credits are spent locally, helping to invigorate our economy.?

In 2014, 95 students and alumni participated in this program, logging more than 6,800 volunteer hours and totaling more than $8.1 million in tax refunds and credits. In 2015, the free tax preparation service will be available at 16 different sites across West Michigan, including Davenport University?s Peter C. Cook Center in downtown Grand Rapids and its W.A. Lettinga and Holland campuses. Aquinas College Library also will serve as a tax preparation site this year. For a complete list of locations and times for VITA assistance, visit http://taxhelp.davenport.edu.

Tax assistance is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Those wishing to take advantage of the free program should bring the following paperwork with them:

Picture ID and social security card for filer and spouse, social security cards for dependents.

Birth dates for primary, secondary and dependents on the tax return.

Wage and earning statement(s) Forms W-2 from all employers.

Other income statements (Forms 1099).

Form 1095-A for the Affordable Health Care forms and healthcare info.

A copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available.

Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit.

Everything saying ?important tax document? on it.

Rent paid out-of-pocket, landlord?s name(s) and address or 2014 property taxes and the home?s taxable value.

Home heating costs as reported on the December ? March utility bills.

The program will also offer an alternative method to e-file for free. Taxpayers whose income does not exceed $58,000 can prepare and e-file their own federal and state taxes for FREE using H&R Block software by visiting taxhelp.daveport.edu and connecting through the MyFreeTaxes.com link on the left side of the page.

To schedule an appointment, call 616-871-6147 or visit http://taxhelp.davenport.edu.