Valencia College to offer free tax preparation help
Valencia College accounting students and professors will be offering free tax help to the public on Saturdays during February, March and April at the college’s East and Osceola campuses.
Valencia College and Heart of Florida United Way partner together every year through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. VITA volunteers are IRS-certified and offer free tax preparation to low to moderate-income individuals and families. Volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals who earn less than $73,000 per year.
The tax help is free and open to anyone, but preference will be given to senior citizens, the disabled and low-income individuals. The volunteer tax preparers will be e-filing returns for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sessions will be offered at Valencia Osceola Campus on Feb. 8, 15, 22, March 1, 8, 29, April 5 and 12 in Building 3, room 100 For more information about the Osceola Campus tax preparation sessions, call 978884-8233.
Those interested in getting tax help are asked to bring supporting documents: All W-2, W-2G and Social Security awards, 1099s, interest and dividend statements, other income documentation, day-care costs (and day-care provider’s tax ID number), copy of last year’s return if available, Social Security card and IDs (and spouse’s if filing jointly) and bank and routing numbers or proof of bank account for direct deposit of refund (a voided check).
Osceola delegates file bills to serve National Guard families
State Sen. Kristen Arrington and Rep. Jose Alvarez of Kissimmee have announced filing Senate Bill 336 and House Bill 135 for the upcoming legislative session, aimed to give back to Florida National Guard families and open up more opportunities for the military community.
The bill, titled “Educational Dollars for Duty Program Expansion Act,” introduces much-needed expansions to the existing Educational Dollars for Duty program . While it has served as a critical resource for Florida National Guard members, covering tuition and fees for degrees, certificates, and vocational programs at public institutions, the expansion would establish a dedicated fund to provide tuition assistance to the spouses and children of active members of the Florida National Guard. Additional provisions of the legislation authorize the legislature to increase the amount of funds allocated to assistance as needed. If passed the bill would go into effect July 1, 2025.
“This legislation reaffirms our continued commitment to our National Guard members and their families by extending vital educational support to spouses and children of active National Guard members. Education is a cornerstone for opportunities and with this legislation, we are ensuring that the families of our service members have the resources they deserve to succeed both academically and in their career aspirations,” Arrington said.
“Making sure that our military families are taken care of is one of the greatest honors one could have. This bill has that very purpose at its heart. By providing National Guard spouses and children with resources to continue their education, we thank them for their dedication and support of our nation,” Alvarez said.
Groundbreaking for new UCP campus Feb. 12
Local philanthropists Dr. Don and Cindy Diebel are donating $1 million to UCP Charter Schools to help build the new campus, located near downtown Kissimmee, which will be home to a state-of-the-art educational and pediatric therapy facility named in their honor. In addition, the new campus will feature an enhanced pediatric therapy facility that will provide a range of services, including physical, occupational and speech therapy, ensuring development and support for students.
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Feb. 12 at Oak Street and U.S. Highway 192 at 8:30 a.m. It is expected to be completed in June 2026.
New bi-lingual primary care locations open
Orlando Health Physician Associates Doctors’ Center Clinic has opened two bi-lingual Osceola County locations, the first bilingual primary care practices in Central Florida established through the partnership between Orlando Health and Doctors’ Center Hospital in Puerto Rico.
The clinics are located at 3236 N. Poinciana Blvd., offering Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology; and 790 Buenaventura Blvd., offering Family Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Physicians and team members at the clinics speak fluent English and Spanish, plus all signage is written in both languages.
