Elderly and low-income tax payers in Hardin and surrounding counties can find free income tax assistance from Ohio Northern University business and law students through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).

The VITA Program offers free tax help to low-to-moderate-income (generally $51,000 and below) individuals across the country who cannot prepare tax returns on their own.

As part of this program, ONU students have received training and have become IRS-certified to help prepare basic and intermediate tax returns and identify special credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit and Credit for the Elderly.

ONU students will offer free electronic filing (e-filing) services in Ohio Northern’s James F. Dicke Hall (room 140) on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5-9 p.m. from Feb. 12 to April 11 (excluding March 5-7 and March 28). Appointments are available but not required.

Taxpayers interested in these services should bring proof of identification, tax information received for the 2012 filing year (including Forms W-2, Forms 1099 and all other items marked “Important Tax Return Document/Information Enclosed”), and copies of last year’s federal and state tax returns, if available.

To make an appointment or learn more, contact site coordinator Dexter Woods at Ohio Northern University at 419-772-2075.