La Feria News

Free Tax Preparation

Students help community through the VITA protram at LFHS. Photos: Matha E. Ibarra/LFN

LFHS Students Help Community

by Martha E. Ibarra/LFN

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program of La Feria High School, in partnership with United Way, is hosting their 5th annual tax preparation service. Cecilio Cavazos Jr, finance teacher at La Feria High School, is in charge of the program directed at families who make less than $54,000 a year or families that are predominantly Spanish speaking.

Lto R: Sihomara Flores, Sierra Newell, Samantha Mendez, Sherlyn Palomares, Joselin Alvarez and finance teacher, Cecilio Cavazos.

The free tax assistance is provided by students who are in classes taught by Cavazos. After about a month of tax training, and passing a certification exam, students become IRS certified and are able to volunteer in helping file tax returns.

According to Cavazos, the program not only benefits low-income families, but it serves experience to the students volunteering, “It’s important because it saves families money, but also because instead of just doing assignments or reading everything from a book, students are actually able to interact with people and get a little bit of work/hands-on experience.”

Students like Joselin Alvarez appreciate the tax assistance program because it provides the chance to gain experience and help others. Free tax preparation will take place every Monday throughout the month February at 5pm at La Feria High School.

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