Taxpayers in Lumpkin and surrounding counties may receive free income tax preparation assistance from North Georgia College & State University accounting students and faculty members on Friday and Saturday April 4 and 5 in the Newton Oakes Center on the NGCSU campus. 

Appointments may be scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday April 4, by e-mailing vita@ngcsu.edu or calling 706-864-1610. Tax assistance will be available 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday April 5, on a walk-in basis.

"This income tax assistance is provided through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or VITA program," said Kent Poff, associate professor of accounting at NGCSU. "Through VITA, trained volunteers prepare your Federal and Georgia income tax returns."

Taxpayers should bring all tax documents including W-2s, 1099s, tax-related forms received through the mail, and a copy of the 2006 return if available. Also bring any other documents related to 2007 such as charitable contributions, mortgage interest, receipts for childcare and other information.

NGCSU accounting students and faculty have been offering income tax assistance through the VITA program for more than 20 years.