February 10, 2000

SMU LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS ASSIST ELDERLY WITH TAX RETURNS

DALLAS (SMU) — More than 50 Southern Methodist University School of Law students are training to assist the elderly and low income taxpayers in filing their income tax returns as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service.

"SMU law school students make an outstanding contribution to the Dallas community through their public service," said Rebecca Greenan, director of SMU School of Law’s Public Service Program. "Students who have chosen to participate in the VITA program for their public service have dedicated in excess of 2000 hours since the inception of the program in 1997."

The law students volunteer on Saturdays from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Lakewood Branch of the Dallas Public Library; from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dallas West Branch; from 9 a.m. to noon at the Pleasant Grove Branch; and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. at the IRS office at 4050 Alpha Road.

"For the SMU law school students, this gives them practical experience, and it helps the community," said Nora Campos, district VITA coordinator for the IRS. "In the Dallas area there are a lot of people who cannot afford a professional tax preparer because of disabilities, language barriers or economic circumstances. The IRS provides this service to assist those people in meeting their tax obligations. We not only prepare their returns, we explain to them and empower them to understand the process. "

People seeking help need to bring tax forms W-2 and 1099, as well as social security cards for everyone mentioned on the return, and any other pertinent tax information including property tax statements and mortgage receipts. For more information call (214) 767-1428.