Lee University offering free tax advice for local residents

Lee University, located in Cleveland, Tenn., will be offering pro bono tax advice to local residents this week,according to local affiliate WDEF.

Accounting students from the Lee's Business Department will partner with the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance(VITA) program and offer on-site help, as well as a tax return help hotline and face-to-face appointments.

"We have a VITA phone number, vita@Leeuniversity.edu, and we are offering the Spanish interpreters for the first time," professor Randall Miedaner, Lee University accounting, told WDEF.

The students, along withBradley Baptist Association, are offering the free tax return workshops both on Lee's campus and at the Cleveland Community Center.

Insurance experts at the American Exchange in Chattanooga also point to health insurance changes for this tax year.

"If you don't have health insurance, you get penalized and if you don't carry health insurance for this year, you will get penalized in 2016, 325 dollars or 2% of your income or whichever is greater," Llew Boyd, American Exchange Chattanooga. told WDEF.

"We do offer [to] help people get out of debt, basically just being more aware of their financial status and just being aware of the best ways to spend their money," said Michel-le, Mignott, Lee University Accounting Student.

For more information on Lee University and their program, head to their sitehere.