February 25, 2002

Student Volunteers Offer Free Tax Return Assistance
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, run by volunteer accounting students in the School of Business, will prepare simple federal and Connecticut state income tax returns free of charge for low-income U.S. residents and nonresident aliens. Help is available to members of the University community and to the public.

The sessions are offered in the School of Business on Thursdays, Feb. 28 through April 11, except March 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. Sign-up is in Room 122, School of Business, on Thursday evenings on a first-come, first-served basis. There are two different number sequences, for domestic taxpayers filing Form 1040s and for international taxpayers filing Form 1040NR or NREZ. Returns will be prepared in numerical order. Appointments are not available and assistance will be provided only during the preparation sessions.

Professors Dunbar, Phillips, and Redemske work with the student volunteers during the Thursday evening tax preparation sessions to answer taxpayer questions that arise during the preparation of the returns.

International students who want VITA help should complete an information form available on the international student tax website. Select "UConn Help".

For more information on VITA, go to the website (PDF file).

Please do not contact the Accounting Department for personal tax help. If you cannot come to one of the volunteer sessions, you may visit the IRS at the William Cotter Federal Building, 135 High St, Hartford. The IRS will prepare returns for return filers with income of $33,000 and below, but the slots are quickly filled up by mid-morning for the day. You can obtain forms, instructions, and relevant publications at the IRS website.

Windham Region Big East Women's Tournament Rally
If you can't get to the game at Rutgers, there's still an opportunity to cheer on the Husky women's basketball team. The Chamber "rally" offers an exciting atmosphere with spirited fans and promises to be a fun-filled evening. The Willimantic Chamber of Commerce will hold a women's Big East tournament basketball rally at Zenny's Restaurant in Storrs on Tuesday, March 5. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live from Rutgers University by ESPN 2 on a 7 by 10-foot screen. Tickets are available in advance for $15 per person at the three Liberty Bank offices; Potpourri Enterprises, 700 Main Street; and the Chamber of Commerce, 1010 Main St. in Willimantic, until Feb. 28. Tickets at the door are $17. Snacks, sponsor give-aways, surprises and door prizes will add to the fun of cheering on the women's team. Seating is limited and tickets go fast. For reservations, call the Chamber of Commerce: (860) 423-6389 or 456-4476.