Accounting students from Niagara University's College of Business Administration will again provide free tax assistance to members of the Niagara Falls community this tax season. The program, called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), is sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service.

"Niagara University has participated in this program for many years," said Alfonso Oddo, chair of the accounting department. He noted that members of Beta Alpha Psi, the international honor society for accounting, and the college's Accounting Society will coordinate the program.

Under the program, NU students prepare and electronically file federal and state tax returns free of charge for elderly and low-income taxpayers in the community. Starting mid-February, assistance will be provided from 6 to 8 p.m. at the following locations:

• Niagara University, Room 205 St. Vincent's Hall: Feb. 25; March 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and 25; April 13 and 15.
• Family Resource Center, 3001 Ninth St.: March 3, 10, 17, and 24; and April 14.

No appointments are needed to participate in this free service.