11-02-2025
Central College students offer free tax preparation services
PELLA, Iowa — Accounting students at Central College are helping Marion County residents complete their taxes for free.
Under the supervision of accounting faculty, students will prepare taxes for eligible residents through the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. This assistance is made possible through a grant from the Iowa Center for Economic Success, which the college has received for the past six years.
According to faculty, this program started after the IRS called the school and requested their help because the elderly and low-income populations in Marion County were struggling to complete taxes on their own.
Since then, the college provided this volunteer opportunity as a class for sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have already taken classes establishing basic knowledge in taxes. This year, there are 12 students enrolled in the program and they say the program is helping them get experience in the fields they hope to work in.
Free tax filing assistance for low-income Iowa households
'Taxes sound scary, but once you actually have the knowledge, like we've gone through all the tax classes to be in this class, and we have all of that knowledge and we can help people that may not otherwise be able to file taxes on their own,' said junior Kylie Winkler.
VITA services are available to taxpayers who make less than $79,000 annually, live in rural areas, are elderly, have a disability, or have limited English proficiency. Those who do not meet these criteria can still make an appointment to learn how to do taxes on their own. They also help other students at the college learn how to file their taxes.
Central College senior Kyler Yarnell said the best part of the program is helping those in need.
'It's nice to be able to walk them through something they don't have complete understanding of,' said Yarnell.
Appointments are available on Tuesdays from 3 p.m. through 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. at the Weller Center for Business and International Studies. Appointments will not be held during spring break, March 8th to March 16th.
To schedule an appointment, call or text (641)629-6729 or email centralcollegeVITA@
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