VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO GIVE VITA INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE

Volunteers are needed to help others with their tax returns as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service.

Local coordinators are Dorothy Ank and Robert Harper.

"The VITA program uses volunteers to provide free assistance to taxpayers who cannot afford professional help," said Ank, who explained that volunteers frequently are college students, law students or members of professional business organizations.

"They receive special training courses in income tax preparations," said Ank.

The training classes have been set for Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 2, 5 and 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Masonic Temple, 2307 Broadway.

IRS representatives will teach each class.

VITA instructors and training materials will be provided by the IRS.

"This is the 14th year for the program here," says Ank, who pointed out that the program has been successful over the past 13 years, with many volunteers and participants.

"We'll use some of the same people from last year," said Ank. "But we still need some additional volunteers."

VITA volunteers assist low-income, elderly, handicapped and non-English-speaking people by explaining the special credits and deductions for which they may qualify and helping them to prepare their returns.

The programs can be sponsored by local civic or fraternal organizations, educational institutions, churches and social groups.

For the convenience of taxpayers who cannot travel to an IRS office, most VITA volunteers provide assistance at neighborhood sites such as schools, churches and libraries.

Additional information is available by calling 334-1871 or 243-2396.