Sage Lynn / Roundup
Free tax preparation services are being held at Pierce College’s Business Administration Department (BUS 3218) on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Services are now available for students and community members who earn less than $45,000 per year on a walk-in basis, and will continue until Wednesday, April 16.
This year, tax day will be Monday, April 18, due to the observation of Emancipation Day in Washington D.C.
The students that are preparing the taxes are enrolled in Business 10 – Fundamentals of Tax Preparation – which is taught by Professor Robert Foster. Business 10 is a credit/no credit class.
Before the students can prepare tax returns, they have to pass a certification test given by the IRS and California State Franchise Board, which supplies the books and materials to the students free of charge.
Several people from the IRS and California State Franchise Board are volunteering their time to assist the students with tax preparations.
The Los Angeles Daily News and the Warner Center News are currently running Public Service Announcements about the free tax services. The Pierce College marquee also displays the announcement on its current advertisement rotation, and flyers have been given to the Pierce College faculty in order to inform their students.
Flyers will be distributed to local businesses and libraries to let the community know about the free service.
“This is a well established program for the last 35 years,” said Professor David Braun, chairperson of the Business Administration Department. “It’s a win-win situation for both the students and the community.”
Students that pass the course are recognized by the IRS with a certificate of excellence. Many of the students have gone on to work for tax preparation and accounting firms.
Shortly after tax day, the students will be treated to a banquet in recognition of their hard work and service to the community.
Questions about the service can be answered by Professor Foster via email at robert@iteachbusiness.com.
