Valparaiso University School of Law students are giving free advice about federal and state tax preparation to eligible residents as part of the Internal Revenue Service's Volunteers in Tax Assistance community service program. The program is available now at the law school, 656 S. Greenwich St., Valparaiso.

The service is available to taxpayers who have an annual income of $49,000 or less. That includes income from the sale of stocks, mutual funds, or homes. Other restrictions apply.

For more information or to make an appointment, individuals can visit the group's Web site, http://valpo.edu/law/vita or call VITA's voicemail system at (219) 465-7900. Questions can also be directed to the group's e-mail, valpo.vita@gmail.com.

Last year, students completed 700 tax returns and logged 1,500 volunteer hours, third-year law student Christen Commers said in a statement. Commers is the VITA site coordinator for 2010.