Free tax help is available from accounting students at the University of Mary and Dickinson State University.

University of Mary students are offering services Saturdays and Mondays through April 9 at the Butler Center, 505 S. Seventh St. Hours are 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday. The service will be closed Feb. 26 and March 3 for spring break and April 7 for Easter break.

Dickinson State students are offering tax preparation services at Bismarck State College. The service is available through April 14. The students will be available to help Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays in room 203 at the Annex Building located at 1309 Schafer St. during the following hours: Mondays 2-8 p.m., Wednesdays 2-5 p.m. and Saturdays 8-11 a.m.

The tax preparation is part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. No appointments are needed. People should bring this year's tax package and/or label, all W-2 and other tax forms, information for other income, information for all deductions-credits, a copy of last year's tax return and a copy of their Social Security card.

The service is available for low-income, disabled, elderly and students. Not eligible for VITA assistance are those taxpayers whose income level exceeds $39,000 or have income from any of the following sources: business income and income reported on Form 1099 MISC, sale of stocks or mutual funds, royalties, farm income or sale of home or business, partnership or rental.