For students who cringe at the thought of filing taxes about this time every year, help is here.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service and the NIU department of accountancy, offers free tax assistance to students and members of the community.

The program is in time for tax day – April 15, the priority deadline to file taxes.

Conveniently located at the Holmes Student Center outside the Blackhawk Cafe, two student volunteers are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. until April 9.

It takes between 10 minutes to a half hour to do most people’s taxes, said senior accountancy major Mike Orchowfki, one of the volunteers.

“It’s a good idea because a lot of people like me have no idea what in the world to do about taxes,” said Nekika Skinner, a senior elementary education major, when she heard about the program. She said she would definitely go to them because it was free.

Anyone can walk in for assistance with the federal income tax and Illinois state tax. Assistance is provided on a first come, first serve basis.

“If [students] have a break between their classes, they can walk in,” said Kyle Lindquist, a senior accountancy major who is helping coordinate the program. “We have all the [tax] forms so they don’t have to worry about printing out anything.”

People are advised to bring their W2 forms, social security number, and if they have received interest or dividends throughout the year, the forms sent by the bank.

The volunteers cannot help international students file international taxes.

The volunteers are a group of 30 to 40 accountancy majors who have been certified by the IRS after taking a test and have taken at least one tax class.

If the volunteers encounter a problem they can’t answer, they consult the faculty and get back to the students, Orchowfki said.

“It’s a way to give back to the community, to people who don’t have the time or knowledge,” Lindquist said.