CANTON — Students and faculty from SUNY Canton's Accounting and Business programs are partnering with AARP Tax-Aide, the Potsdam Neighborhood Center, and SeaComm Federal Credit Union to offer free tax assistance at locations around the North Country.

The college's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is overseen by Accounting Professor Ran Li and Legal Studies Professor Jondavid S. DeLong, who are committed to helping individuals and families file their 2021 tax returns.

Site Coordinator Sheryl Campbell oversees the AARP Tax-Aide sites, and the Potsdam Neighborhood Center venue is managed by Site Coordinator Andy Gilbert. Certified volunteer tax preparers from each of these programs work collaboratively to prepare returns during each of the several SeaComm Federal Credit Union "Super Saturdays" which are scheduled at various SeaComm locations throughout the filing season. Currently, all Super Saturday appointments are filled.

This is the fourth year that the college has joined with outside agencies to offer this valuable assistance to a broader audience.

For more than 16 years, the VITA program at SUNY Canton has allowed students to help individuals accurately prepare their taxes while under the supervision of tax certified professionals. The college's Financial Literacy Center and the School of Business and Liberal Arts sponsors the free tax preparation program with community partners as a service to those who cannot afford to visit an accountant or who are unable to prepare their own taxes.

At SUNY Canton, free tax assistance will be available by appointment between Feb. 2 and April 6 in Nevaldine Hall South, Room 125. The service is offered to SUNY Canton students and income-qualified community members. For more information visit SUNY Canton's VITA Webpage. To schedule an appointment, contact the School of Business and Liberal Arts by phone at 315-386-7328.

Other AARP Tax-Aide and other VITA sites include:

Assistance from AARP Tax-Aide will be available in Massena and Potsdam. For more information, contact Sheryl Campbell at 315-212-0450.

Appointments through the Potsdam Neighborhood Center can be made by contacting Kristal Hayes at the Potsdam Neighborhood Center at 315-265-3920.