SIU offering free income tax preparation for students and select community members

CARBONDALE, Ill. (KFVS) - Southern Illinois University Carbondale is offering free income tax preparation for low- and moderate-income community members and students in 2026.

The School of Accountancy, in the College of Business and Analytics is offering the free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance(VITA) program.

SIU student volunteers will prepare the income tax returns. Students have offered the free tax preparation each year for more than 25 years.

Each student tax preparer is IRS-certified and has successfully completed three certifications.

“VITA is a great annual event that provides an opportunity for SIU accounting students to give back to our larger community,” said Lane Dowell, a third-year law student, who will complete his dual Juris Doctor and Master of Accounting degree this semester. “VITA puts the technical skills acquired in class into practice through hands-on income tax preparation while providing a conducive environment for students to develop the soft skills that are important when working with clients.”

The tax preparation program will be offered on the following Saturdays: Feb. 21 and 28, March 21 and 28 and April 4. Community members can receive the service each day from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the computer lab on the lower level of Rehn Hall, 1025 Lincoln Drive.

In addition, volunteers will offer free tax preparation just for SIU students Feb. 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30.

The free tax preparation services are available to any U.S. citizen, single or married, as long as their income doesn’t exceed $69,000 and they take the standard federal deduction.

To receive assistance, community members must bring all vital documents, including legal photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID, along with Social Security cards and other required documents.

For more information, visit the VITA website, email vita@business.siu.edu or call 681-453-2289.