Free tax help available through April 16

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance will be available to the general public free of charge through April 16 at Western Washington University’s Parks Hall and Whatcom Community College’s Heiner Library.

Volunteers will provide free assistance with the preparation of non-business, personal income taxes during this period, including free e-filing of tax returns. Sponsored by Western’s Beta Alpha Psi and Accounting Society, the VITA program is staffed by students from Western, WCC and other members of the community.

Locations and hours for VITA assistance are:

Western’s Parks Hall 336:

  • Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 4:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WCC’s Heiner Library, starting Monday, Feb. 13 

  • Mondays: 5-8 p.m.
  • Fridays: 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30-3:30 p.m.

No appointment is necessary. Assistance will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

To receive tax assistance, please bring all relevant tax documentation (W-2, 1099s, etc.) and copies of purchase and sale documents for all investment sales, as well as a copy of last year’s tax return, if available.

For more information, contact Beta Alpha Psi's Bryan Rohde at vita.wwu.bap@gmail.com or (425) 830-2742. 

Senior Abdul Osman gets tax help from senior Kelsie Abelin Parks Hall 336 on April 2. This is the second year Western accounting students have provided this service on campus. Photo by Michelle Naranjo | University Communications intern
Signs are posted on the third level of Parks Hall at Western Washington University to navigate students and community members to Room 336, where they can receive help on their taxes. Photo by Michelle Naranjo | University Communications intern
WWU senior Bradley Alfi double checks a tax form with a customer over the phone. "Some of us will do taxes in the future, so this is practice for us to interact with people," Alfi said. "It also helps us to better understand tax lingo and get a solid foun