FEBRUARY 12, 2025 www.wintertexantimes.com 20 WINTER TEXAN TIMES Your perfect match Personalized hearing Buy 1 Packet of Batteries Get 2nd Packet FREE* FREE HEARING EVALUATION *Must present this ad McAllen/Pharr 3906 N. Jackson Rd., South of Nolana (956)632-0908 Weslaco 413 W. Pike Ste C (956)647-5061 Harlingen 913 N. Ed Carey Ste A (956)423-4400 Brownsville 1474 W. Price Rd. Ste 2 (956)621-2085 John D. Druley Board Certified Over 30 years in hearing aid industry Beltone Achieve™ Custom Beltone Achieve™ RIE Jabra Enhance™ Plus All Insurance Accepted Free VITA tax services at STC Joey Gomez The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program returns to South Texas College to help taxpayers process, for free, their returns ahead of the filing deadline on April 15. VITA offices at STC’s Pecan campus and the college’s Mid Valley campus opened this week. Services will last for a six-week period until March 12 at Mid-Valley and March 14 at Pecan. The Mid-Valley Campus will be open on Tuesdays and Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Pecan Campus will be open Monday through Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. STC faculty with the college’s Business Administration program have been holding training sessions for volunteers, which include residents from the community as well as students, since December, ahead of VITA services. “We want to make sure that all of our volunteers are prepared for this tax preparation opportunity because not only is it such a wonderful experience for them to get involved, it’s also a great way for them to earn valuable knowledge in the field, especially for our accounting students,” said Anay De Leon, accounting faculty member at STC and coordinator of VITA services. “I encourage the community to come and participate and really take advantage of this program. Tax preparation is usually very expensive, but we offer our services completely free to the community.” The VITA program has assisted the Rio Grande Valley for more than 30 years and has partnered with STC for 14 years. The program offers free tax preparation services for those who make $65,000 or less, people with disabilities or limited English-speaking taxpayers. The IRS manages all VITA programs, including the one at STC with the help of the United Way. The sites are also staffed with IRS-certified volunteers who have completed training and provide tax counseling. VITA at STC filed more than 3,200 tax returns in 2024, totaling more than $4.9 million in refunds. “Here at STC, we are asking the community to get involved as well as volunteer for our tax services,” said Miguel Garcia, certified public accountant (CPA) and STC associate professor of Business Administration, who was among those volunteering to assist with tax services this year. “We have students who are helping out, which is one of our purposes here at STC. We want students to receive this type of knowledge so they can help with these services. We certify and train them while being there to assist them for this completely free service to the community.” Appointments for VITA services are handled through the United Way. Those interested in scheduling an appointment whether online or by phone can visit https://www. southtexascollege.edu/vita/ or call (956) 607-9030. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) services begin at STC. Courtesy photo VA offers urgent care for VA healthcare enrollees The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System is delighted to announce the activation of Urgent Care services for Veterans enrolled for VA healthcare residing in the vicinity of the VA McAllen Outpatient clinic, located at 901 East Hackberry Avenue. The new Urgent Care Center at the VA McAllen Outpatient clinic will operate Monday through Friday, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., and will be closed on weekends and Federal Holidays. “As we continue with our efforts to expand availability of health care services for the Veterans we serve, we encourage all Veterans enrolled for VA healthcare in the McAllen area to visit the VA McAllen Outpatient Clinic for their Urgent Health Care needs,” said Public Affairs Officer Hugo Martinez. Veteran health care needs arising outside the routine hours above can be addressed by calling VA Health Connect at (855) 864-0516, Press 3. For more information about these new Urgent Care Services please contact Hugo Martinez, Public Affairs Officer, at (956) 454-3762. For information about future events, follow VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System on Facebook.
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