Community volunteers are going to join IRS-certified tax preparers and accounting students from various universities with an aim to provide free tax preparation services for people with incomes under $57,000. The students who are taking part to provide help are from Davenport University, Aquinas College and Cornerstone University.

Free tax preparation services will be provided on April 11, 12, 14 and 15. Volunteers will provide help in cooperation with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. It is cooperative effort of the Internal Revenue Service and nonprofit groups that give training to volunteers to prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country.

"These volunteer experiences give students a chance to apply their tax skills to real-world situations with actual clients who need assistance completing their tax returns", said Judy Knapp, VITA Program Manager and Honors Accounting Faculty at Davenport.

Knapp also said that the majority of funds and credits that their clients get are dollars spent locally, so this service directly benefits local economies. The IRS certified volunteers, accounting students from Davenport and other area colleges to take part. Help will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

Anyone who wants to become part of the assistance must bring documents revealing the following information:

"Picture ID and social security card for filer and spouse, social security cards for dependents.

"Birth dates of primary, secondary and dependents on the tax return.

"Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers.

"Interest and dividend statements from banks.

"Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit.

"A copy of previous year's federal and state returns if accessible.

"Rent paid out-of-pocket, landlord's name(s) and address or previous year's property taxes and the home's taxable value.