MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew LaPlant
561-297-3022, alaplant@fau.edu

FAU Students Open Income Tax Assistance Center

DAVIE, FL (February 24, 2005) - The Florida Atlantic University Accounting Student Association on the Davie campus have opened a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Center. The center will operate in FAU's Liberal Arts Building, 2912 College Avenue, Davie in room 340 every Friday from 9:30 a.m. until noon and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. through tax season, except for the week of FAU's spring break from March 6-13.

Taxpayers must have incomes less than $36,000 to be eligible for the free service. Volunteers do not prepare business or complex returns. Taxpayers need to bring with them their tax information, including wage and earnings statements (Forms W-2), interest and dividend statements (Forms 1099), a copy last year's return (if available), social security cards (or individual income tax numbers) for each person shown on the return and any other information concerning their income and expenses for 2004. For joint returns, both spouses need to visit the center in order to authorize electronic filing of the tax return. Service is given on a first-come, first-serve basis.

"This is our second year in the VITA program, and we have already served many repeat taxpayers," said Dr. Sharon Lassar, CPA and associate professor of accounting at FAU. "With our students' assistance, we will be able to help many more of our community members."
Community members interested in more information regarding VITA may contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit http://www.irs.gov.

-FAU-