OSU-Cascades offers free tax preparation services for qualifying individuals, families

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Oregon State University–Cascades said Monday it's hosting free tax preparation appointments for qualifying families and individuals through April 15.

The service is provided through the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, known as VITA.

The VITA program is designed to help people who need assistance preparing their own tax returns, including those with a household income of $67,000 or less. The service is also available to individuals with disabilities, people with limited English language skills and individuals ages 60 and older.

OSU-Cascades is hosting the sessions in partnership with the Oregon State University College of Business.

Appointments are available on Mondays and Thursdays between 5:30 and 9 p.m. and on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. Each tax preparation session lasts about 90 minutes, and returns are processed on-site during the scheduled time.

The team of volunteer tax preparers includes OSU-Cascades faculty and staff, business students and community members. To assist a diverse range of clients, some volunteers are fluent in Spanish and Vietnamese.

Individuals interested in scheduling an appointment can visit beav.es/VITA or call 541-209-6192. Clients will receive specific information regarding which documents and records they must bring to the university for their tax processing.

Community members who wish to serve as VITA volunteers for the program can contact organizers by emailing VITA.cascades@oregonstate.edu.