Liberty law school offers free public tax assistance
Liberty University School of Law will host Volunteer Income Tax Assistance services free for qualifying individuals from Feb. 4 through March 9, according to a release from the school.
Liberty law students have participated in the VITA program since 2009, and this year they are partnering with the School of Business’ Center for Financial Literacy.
To qualify for the free service, the income of the taxpayer (or the income of both spouses if filing jointly) cannot exceed $54,000.
Returns from previous years and international student tax returns cannot be filed. Both spouses must be present if married and filing jointly.
Appointments will be available during the following days and times:
- Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Feb. 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28; March 2, 7: 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Thursday and Saturday sessions will be held at Green Hall at the School of Law. Tuesday sessions will be held at the School of Business.
Filers should bring the following documents:
- Proof of identification (photo ID)
- Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents
- Birth dates for you, your spouse and any dependents on the tax return
- Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc) from all employers
- Interest and dividend statements from banks (Form 1099)
- A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
- Proof of bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit (blank check)
- If applicable, the total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number (Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number)
- Forms 1095-A, B and C, health coverage statements
- Copies of income transcripts from IRS and state, if applicable.
The service is offered on a first-come, first-served basis; no appointment is necessary. Reservations are encouraged but not required and can be made here. For additional information, call 434-592-5300.
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Southside Virginia Community College names new dean
Southside Virginia Community College recently welcomed Charletta Barringer-Brown as its new dean of humanities, social sciences and business.
Barringer-Brown comes to SVCC after serving as a tenured professor in the department of political science and public administration at Virginia State University, according to a news release from the college. While at VSU, she also served as the faculty director of general education.
Barringer-Brown was an assistant dean, department chair and director of research at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina from 2004 to 2018.
Barringer-Brown is a 2023 recipient of the State Council of Higher Education and Dominion Energy Outstanding Faculty Award.
“We are thrilled for Dr. Barringer-Brown to join us at SVCC and I look forward to her sharing her talents and experience in our campus community; we are indeed fortunate to have her,” Keith Harkins, vice president of academics and workforce at SVCC, said in the release.
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UVA Wise sets events for Black History Month
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise will mark Black History Month with a monthlong series of lectures focusing on community activism, entrepreneurship and raising Black voices in Appalachia.
The annual series is free and open to the public.
Black History Month Series events:
“Expanding the Archive and Classroom; Channeling Blackness, Comics, and the Speculative”
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 1 p.m.
The speaker will be virtual but there will be a live viewing and Q & A in Cantrell Hall and available on Zoom.
An evening with Virginia Commonwealth University assistant professor of African American studies Grace Gipson. She will discuss her research on comics and pop culture, while also engaging with issues surrounding disability, the speculative, race and gender.
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fbkFlBpuQYOFgpVF9l5CfA
“Why Black Huntington Matters”
Monday, Feb. 13, 1 p.m.
This event is both in-person at Cantrell Hall and on Zoom.
Cicero Fain III, assistant provost for inclusive excellence at Marshall University, will share insights from his first book, “Black Huntington: An Appalachian Story,” which was published in 2019 by the University of Illinois Press and was a finalist for the Appalachian Studies Association Weatherford Award.
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aPvKLFASRFCS12IFPm8KQw
“Diversity Panel of Black Entrepreneurs”
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 1 p.m.
Black Box Theater, Gilliam Center for the Arts
Join a panel discussion about what it takes to be a Black entrepreneur. Representatives from the Nest, the college’s student entrepreneur organization, will moderate the discussion between Raven’s Hair Studio owner Raven Lester; UVA Wise alumnus ’12 Jahmal Potter, owner of JGreat Entertainment; and George Smith and Adam Harris, co-owners of the Sugar Shack BBQ. They will share their experiences from startup to success. After the panel, refreshments will be served.
“The Urgency of Now”
Monday, Feb. 20, 1 p.m.
This event is both in-person at Cantrell Hall and on Zoom.
The Multicultural Center and DEI student interns will introduce and moderate the panel featuring Deborah Travis, Judy Barlyske and Karen Sanders of the Montgomery County-Radford City-Floyd County, Virginia chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. They will discuss their chapter, its vision and its work and will share with students and faculty how to form a chapter.
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FCtVmQuETeCEyQDEb_pyjQ
“Black by God: The West Virginian”
Monday, Feb. 27, 1 p.m.
The speaker will be virtual but there will be a live viewing and Q&A in Cantrell Hall and available on Zoom.
Crystal Good, founder and publisher of “Black by God: The West Virginian,” a print and multimedia publication centering on Black voices in Appalachia, will share her insights and experiences.
Register in advance for this webinar: