With Tax Day right around the corner, many people in the country dread the deadline and struggle with filing taxes themselves. Being able to pay for an accountant to file taxes for you can be very pricey.

A program at Rutgers-Camden Law called the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) project helps residents of New Jersey file their taxes, according to Rutgers Today. Faculty members and students at the law school prepare and file the tax returns for residents free of charge. The project is sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service as volunteers receive major training prior to working on the returns.

The program has already started and does not end until April 9.

“By offering IRS-sponsored tax preparation free to communities, volunteers help undercut predatory practices, empower taxpayers in need, and strengthen the neighborhoods where the project operates,” Matt Lewis, a law student at the school said. Lewis was previously involved in VITA with AmeriCorps, which helped him to enroll in the school.

“VITA is great because it has a little something for everyone: taxes for those interested in tax policy mechanics, outreach and coordination for the community organizers, and a one-on-one connection with people for those looking for a personal experience. I got hooked early and keep coming back.”

The volunteers with the program help residents find issues on the returns, exemptions, credits and deductions while filing them on-time or early.

Jill Friedman is the acting assistant dean for pro bono and public interest programs at Rutgers-Camden Law. Friedman said that the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit help return funds to Camden families who are poor.

“Recent studies show that the EITC and CTC promote child health and nutrition; result in better educational outcomes for kids whose families receive them; and nationally have lowered the child poverty rate by fully 6.3 percentage points,” Friedman said. “In, 2013, our pro bono volunteers helped recover $400,000 for Camden families.”

Volunteers who work on the team also find that their counseling, interviewing and conflict resolution skills are enhanced with their work.

A Rutgers-Camden Law professor, Steven Friedell, said that he received the same training given to students in order to take part in the program.

“It helps them learn the skills needed to understand and interpret a complex set of rules to real-life situations to real clients in which it matters a lot,” Friedell said.

“I am enormously impressed by the student volunteers and site supervisors. They handle what can be stressful situations with clients with such calmness. That’s a skill that can’t be taught in the classroom.”