SIOUX CITY -- Tax season just became a bit easier thanks to a program sponsored by Goodwill Industries.

This is the first time Goodwill has offered free tax preparation to employees and program participants who qualify for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which was designed to provide assistance to individuals who do not have resources to use the services of a tax professional.

The program was developed as part of Goodwill's Family Strengthening Initiative, explained Briget Solomon, director of operational planning.

"The concept of Family Strengthening is a holistic approach to serving both program participants, employees and their families," she said. "Our view is that when the entire family experiences success, the community will also thrive."

Solomon viewed the IRS VITA program is one small way in which Goodwill can provide a valuable service to program participants and employees.

"It's also a way to insure these individuals are actually filing their taxes," she added.

Solomon connected with Erin Cornelsen, assistant professor of accounting at Briar Cliff University, which has been offering free income tax preparation assistance for elderly and low-income tax payers under the VITA program since the late 1970s.

Two Briar Cliff students Derek Haskell and Kendra O'Dell volunteered with the first-ever operation at Goodwill.

"I know what goes into filing income taxes," Haskell said, "but I thought this would be a really good experience for me to work with clients."

This is O'Dell's second year of helping with tax preparation under the VITA program. Last year she assisted clients through the college's program.

"I think I've lived a pretty blessed life," O'Dell said. "So giving back to the community is important, especially since I have the knowledge of how to file tax returns."

To serve as an IRS VITA volunteer, individuals must pass a number of tax preparation tests given by the IRS. The student volunteers are trained to assist with basic 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ forms -- as well as state forms.

"I'm from Nebraska and have wages from Iowa, so I understand how there's similarities in those forms," Haskell said. "There are certain quirks associated with each state. Usually you can just look up the instructions and find the answer."

Information on tax benefits such as earned income credit and child care credit are available from the students. Essential tax information, such as Social Security number, W-2s, interest and dividend statements and any 1099s, are necessary to complete returns, just as they would be for any tax preparer.

Easy, accurate and complete are not words usually associated with one's taxes but it's the approach O'Dell takes.

"We go through the preliminary information with the clients and make decisions on itemizing or taking the standard deduction," she said. "It's a great service the VITA program provides so people don't have to pay up to $150 in some cases to file.

Neither student has run across an unanswerable tax question.

"There are hotlines and huge packets of books to help us," O'Dell said.

"We can always call Erin (Cornelsen) for help, if we're stumped," Haskell added.