Law Students to Conduct Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Program provides free tax preparation for qualified individuals

University of North Dakota law students will be preparing and electronically filing income tax returns, free of charge, for individuals who qualify through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. 

VITA is a free service that provides free e-file for participants filing federal and state tax returns.  Assistants are certified by the IRS to complete tax returns for individuals and families who made less than $40,000 in 2007. The School of Law’s Public Interest Law Student Association (PILSA) is sponsoring the effort that will run through April 12, 2008. 

Law students will prepare tax returns on Tuesday, Thursday and select Saturdays in both Grand Forks and for the first time at Spirit Lake.  The session schedule and locations are listed below. 

Grand Forks Sessions
February 19 to February 28 & March 11 to April 10
Each Tuesday & Thursday, 6 - 8 PM,
At the University Apartment Community Center, 525 Stanford Rd.

March 22, 29, and April 12
Saturday, 12 - 4 PM
At the Grand Forks Public Library

Spirit Lake Sessions
February 16 & 23, March 8, April 5 & 12
Saturday 10 - 4
February 16 & April 5 – The  Blue Building
February 23 & March 8 – CCCC Student Lounge

Individuals interested in participating must bring:

* Social Security Card
* All W-2, 1098, 1099 Forms
* Proof of Identity
* banking information for refund deposits
* Estimated Tax Payments made
* Amounts of other income
* 2006 tax return if available
* For married couples filing jointly, both people must be present

Limitations do apply, so for complicated tax returns PILSA advises people to consult a paid tax professional.  For additional information or questions, contact PILSA via e-mail at vitaund@gmail.com.

PILSA is a student organization at the University of North Dakota School of Law.  The organization is committed to using the law to create social change and increasing access to justice for segments of the population that are underrepresented in the community.