Free tax assistance available to seniors, low-income residents in Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona in conjunction with the Inland Empire United Way will offer free tax preparation assistance to low income families and senior citizens beginning Feb. 13 at three locations around the city.

A team of 60 Cal Poly Pomona accounting students and volunteers have gone through special training using professional tax software provided by the Internal Revenue Service, according to a statement from Cal Poly. They have also prepared using IRS training manuals in addition to being tested on the topic, the statement said.

Cal Poly students have prepared for this project through a course "Service Learning in Taxation," the statement said.

The free service is available to senior citizens and to people who in 2009 had a gross yearly income of $50,000 or less.

Students have a knowledge of tax credits and who qualifie for them especially among low income families. It's possible that someone who may not have to file a tax return may be eligible for some tax credits, the statement said.

A majority of the students participating in the program speak more than one language and are prepared to assist clients in Spanish, Arabic and Chinese, the statement said.

The free service will be available every Saturday from 9 a.m to 5 p.m from Feb. 13 to April 10 at the following locations:

- The Boys & Girls Club of Pomona Valley, 1420 S. Garey Ave.

- The Pomona office of the Inland Empire Credit Union, 435 W. Mission Blvd., Suite 100

- YMCA of Pomona Valley, 350 N. Garey Ave.

Appointments aren't required.

The service is provided through Cal Poly Pomona's College of Business Administration, its accounting department along with the Inland Empire United Way.