Pennsylvania College of Technology accounting faculty members recently presented a session on income tax returns – and the assistance available to file them – at Thrive International Programs in Williamsport.
Michael D. Shipman, instructor of business administration/accounting, and Bob Nolan, part-time instructor of accounting, provided an overview of the federal income tax system, who should file an income tax return and why. Shipman and Nolan are also the Penn College site administrators for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, a free, IRS-sanctioned service to help the community file personal income tax returns.
Thrive International Programs is a local, Christian nonprofit organization whose services include classes in English as a second language, classes in foreign languages and immigration legal assistance.
“Thrive invited VITA to share because income taxes can feel complicated to those new to the U.S., and they are often very concerned about filing correctly,” said Jody Lantz, executive director of Thrive. “We wanted to help immigrants in the area understand when they need to file income taxes and how to best handle filing.”
VITA at Penn College is staffed by Penn College accounting and finance students who have been certified by the IRS to provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing.
“It is easy to come by misinformation, and we greatly appreciate Michael Shipman and Bob Nolan sharing correct information and directing participants to the VITA clinic, where they can get reliable help, as well as help the (Penn College) students there gain experience preparing taxes,” Lantz said.
VITA services will be available at Penn College through April 5 on a first-come, first-served basis. Hours are 5-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday on the second floor of the Madigan Library. To contact VITA at Penn College, call 570-321-5544 or email.
To learn about Penn College’s accounting and finance majors, call 570-327-4505.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.