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 $55,000 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 Hope College as well as members of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants.

?These volunteer experiences give students a chance to ply their tax skills in real-world situations with actual clients while benefiting those who need assistance completing their tax returns,? said Judy Knapp, VITA Program Manager and Honors Accounting Faculty at Davenport University. ?Most of the refunds and credits our clients receive are dollars spent locally, so this service also directly benefits our local economies.?

In 2013, 75 students and alumni participated in this program, logging more than 6,600 volunteer hours and totaling more than $6.1 million in tax refunds and credits.

In 2014, the free tax preparation service will be available at 17 different sites across West Michigan, including Davenport University?s Peter C. Cook Center in downtown Grand Rapids and its W.A. Lettinga, Holland and Kalamazoo campuses. Aquinas College Library and Hope College also will serve as preparation sites this year.

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) 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.

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 2013 property taxes and the home?s taxable value.

Home heating costs 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. Anyone who wishes to prepare their own taxes but needs help getting started may visit one of the Davenport University Grand Rapids campuses and prepare their own taxes with the assistance of a tax coach.

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