BY ZOEY RITCHIE

From now until April 15 Stetson University is offering free tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Trained student volunteers, working under faculty supervision, are offering assistantance to local families to file their federal tax returns at no cost. Services are available by appointment only for families with an annual income of $67,000 or less.

Since it began in 2011, the program — sponsored by the United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties — has helped local residents claim more than $2 million in federal tax refunds.

In 2024, the program prepared 285 tax returns, securing thousands of dollars in refunds for families in need. This year, the program features around 40 Stetson students, who are all IRS-certified and trained to help taxpayers determine eligibility for federal tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, maximizing refunds for qualifying families.

 You can learn more about the program or schedule an appointment by going onto the Stetson University VITA program website.