Free tax filing service to end Saturday

By Maurice Ndole

Tomorrow will be the last day to take advantage of a free tax filing service at Fresno State’s Henry Madden library.

The annual income tax service, provided by Beta Alpha Psi, an accountancy student organization at Fresno State, has served more than 150 students and members of the community during the last six Saturdays.

“ We basically do the simple returns, like for students and anybody who needs the service,” said Maureen Crane, accountancy professor at Fresno State and faculty adviser of the organization.

Michael Yoder, president of Beta Alpha Psi, said the service would benefit students and save them money.

“ I hope to see more students here because I hate to see students paying $100 to get their taxes done,” Yoder said.

Fresno State student Emily Miles also said she didn’t know about the service. Miles said she gets her taxes done by her mother’s friend in San Francisco.

“ Students don’t take advantage of it because it’s not advertised,” Miles said.

Miles also said students may be skeptical about the service because it is free.

Jennifer Metzger, an accounting major and coordinator of the volunteer income tax assistance site, said volunteers are certified by the IRS before participating in the exercise.

“ We have an exam that we have to pass with the IRS, and they have to take the tax class or get 18 hours of training on taxes,” Metzger said.

Esther Yoder, Beta Alpha Psi vice president of committees, said the service has benefited many members of the community.

“ We get more people who are not students than students,” She said.

Sepideh Ramezani, a student from Fresno City College who filed her tax returns at the center, said she appreciated the service.

“ The service is important because it helps people who don’t have experience on filing taxes,” Ramezani said.

Students and members of the community wishing to use the service need to bring their W-2 forms, Social Security card, identification and tuition statements among other relevant papers.

Beta Alpha Psi has offered the volunteer income tax assistance services at Fresno State every year for more than 10 years. The organization receives funds and supplies from the state government.

The center opens Saturday at 10 a.m. and closes at 2 p.m. For details contact 287-8587.