Accounting students from Niagara University's College of Business Administration, in partnership with ReNU Niagara: Niagara University's Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC), will 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 department of accounting. 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 in mid-February, assistance will be provided at the following locations:

· Niagara University, Gallagher Center study lounge, lower level; March 3, 10 and 31; April 7 and 14, from 5 to 7 p.m.

· Niagara Falls High School, 4455 Porter Road, Feb. 12 and 26; March 4 and 11; and April 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

· EveryWoman Opportunity Center, Inc., 1316 Main St., on Feb. 7, 21 and 28 from 3 to 5 p.m.

· Highland Community Revitalization Committee, Inc., 1750 Tennessee Ave., on March 13 and April 3 from 3 to 5 p.m.; March 8 and April 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

· St. John's AME Federal Credit Union, 917 Garden Ave., on Feb. 9 and 23 and March 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

No appointments are needed to participate in this free service. For more information, contact the ReNU Niagara COPC office at 716-205-0289.