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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Free Income Tax Preparation Available

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Friday, January 25, 2013   

DES MOINES, Iowa – The tax season is underway and having your taxes figured by a professional can be expensive.

But Iowans with low to moderate incomes can have their state and federal taxes done at no charge.

Des Moines Area Community College accounting professor Cheri Hernandez says her accounting students have been certified by the I.R.S. to help out.

"If they have income less than $50,000 a year,” she says, “under the I.R.S. sponsored program, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, they can have their tax returns prepared for free at the different Ankeny campus sites and other VITA sites in the city."

Hernandez says those who qualify should bring their W-2 forms, interest statements from banks, copies of last year's federal and Iowa tax returns, along with Social Security cards for all family members.

Hernandez says it's often better preparation than you can get at a professional service.

"For people in this tax group, you can get as good as if not better assistance because most of my preparers are students who have actually taken individual federal income class."

The free service is available beginning February 1. Hernandez says the taxes will be filed electronically with both the Internal Revenue Service and the Iowa Department of Revenue.





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