Members of the Pomona community can get free assistance in filing their taxes beginning on Tax Day, which is Feb. 9.

Tax Day inaugurates the start of Cal Poly Pomona's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), an IRS-backed program for most individuals or households making less than $54,000. Upper-division accounting students from the College of Business Administration prepare returns under the supervision of industry professionals.

In addition, the IRS-certified students will offer several cost-free tax assistance clinics for community at different locations over the next few months. Locations include the Boys & Girls Club of Pomona Valley, Pomona Public Library, West Covina Library and Azusa Public Library.

"VITA is a major part of the CBA's polytechnic experience for accounting students," CBA Dean Erik Rolland said. "The program is a service to our community where students learn to service customers by helping with their taxes."

This year's aspiring accountants completed a series of IRS courses and training on the latest tax laws under the watchful eye of accounting faculty. The program offers free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

"This will be a tough year for tax return preparation," said CBA Director of VITA, Professor Sharyn Fisk. "There were a lot of changes to the Internal Revenue Code last year and the IRS has issued new tax return forms. However, our student volunteers are ready for these changes."

The VITA program is supported in part by the California Department of Community Services and Development, which provided $344,250 to the CSU5, a conglomerate of the five CSU campuses in Los Angeles County. Cal Poly Pomona's $41,965 share of the award will support the clinics on campus and in the community, as well as VITA's long-term program sustainability.

"Our faculty and experienced student site-leaders review all the returns prepared at our VITA sites for accuracy," Fisk said. "We also confirm the returns we electronically file are accepted by the IRS."

No appointment is necessary for Tax Day at Cal Poly Pomona on Feb. 9. Doors open to the public at 10 a.m., and walk-ins will be accommodated until 4 p.m.

Three other locations are open select Saturdays from February through April. Visit the VITA website for hours and locations. You can also eThanks. mail vita@cpp.edu or call 909-869-2365 for details.