Courtesy photo Mount Aloysius VITA site staff included (from left): John Brooks, adviser; Kyle Lohr, senior business and marketing major, Schellsburg; Alyssa Hoberney, junior accounting and IT major, Portage; Kohshi Meneses, junior business major, Indian Head, Md.; Steven Guy, sophomore accounting and business major, Leonardtown, Md.; Bridget Rubinstein, senior business major, Bedford; and Drew Wlodarczyk, senior accounting major, East Aurora, N.Y. Not pictured is Hatim Almutairi, junior accounting major, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

CRESSON — The Mount Aloysius College Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, staffed by Mount Aloysius students, faculty and volunteers, once again assisted area residents in filing their tax returns this tax season. This spring, seven student volunteers worked to complete federal, state and local returns for 116 taxpayers.

In addition to a significant amount of income tax refunds, students also ensured that taxpayers received applicable tax credits for which they qualified such as the earned income and child tax credits. All students participating in the VITA program receive extensive training and must obtain IRS certification before assisting taxpayers.

John Brooks, CPA, and his team of student volunteers offer free tax filing services for community members in need.

The program is available to taxpayers who generally make less than $57,000 annually, persons with disabilities and those with limited English-speaking skills.

“The VITA program offers a unique opportunity for Mount Aloysius students,” said Brooks, who oversees the VITA site at Mount Aloysius College. “They’re able to gain valuable, practical experience running a live tax office while also furthering the college’s mission of meeting community needs.”

The Mount Aloysius Business Department has provided the VITA service to the community since 2010. Each year, the VITA program provides an essential service on which many area residents rely.

With faculty supervision, student volunteers make a difference in low-income taxpayer’s lives, boost the financial stability of their community and gain valuable skills for future employment in the accounting field.

For additional information about the VITA program at Mount Aloysius College, call 814-886-6621 or visit mtaloy.edu/vita.