The following story was published by WAND-TV on Jan. 21, 2026.

The University of Illinois Springfield is offering free tax preparation services for the first time.

The program, hosted by the UIS College of Business and Management, is offered through the Internal Revenue Service's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Trained and IRS-certified volunteers will be available to help with preparing and filing federal and state income tax returns for free. The program is designed to support people who earn $67,000 or less, people with disabilities, older adults and limited English-speaking taxpayers.

Read the story online.