Tax season is underway, and anyone whose income was lower than $60k last year can access free assistance filing their tax return by IRS-certified volunteers from now until April 15th.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program has 4 locations throughout Corpus Christi and one of them is in at the Del Mar College Heritage Campus.

Adelfino Palacios, a Professor of Accounting who has been employed by Del Mar since 1981, brought the VITA program here after seeing it on other college campuses.

This will be the 21st year that the IRS-sponsored program will be available on the Heritage Campus. Palacios said in the first year of the program that 75 tax returns were filed, and this year they are expecting to file 1,000.

“We are very proud of that number,” Palacios added.

With so many tax services available Palacios spoke about why the program has been so successful on the Heritage Campus.

“Consistency- community members have confidence in Del Mar College, its reputation and the instructors.” he said.

Volunteers to the program do not have to be students. The student volunteers are are accounting majors who have completed two income tax courses taught by Palacios. All volunteers must also be certified by passing a test issued by the IRS.

Students who volunteer in the program garner real world experience for their future careers as well as invaluable customer service experience.

While volunteers do much of the work, Palacios and his colleagues oversee the operation, allowing community members to rest assured that your tax return will be filed correctly.

“Each tax return is $200-$300 that is staying in the community,” said Palacios.

Income tax return services are available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 PM to 6 PM in room 206 in the Venters Building on the Heritage Campus.

Those filing will need to bring their W-2 forms, photo ID, social security card and bank routing number. This free service is open to the public.

Other locations for the VITA program are TAMUCC O’Connor Building, United Way of the Coastal Bend and Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Bend.

There are VITA volunteer opportunities for non-tax preparers, greeters and document assistant positions are available.

Volunteers receive small grant funded stipends for gas or food in exchange for their time and the service they provide.

For more information on volunteering or filing your tax return please visit room 206 in the Venters Building during the designated times.