The idea of banks asset seizures, fines and penalties is enough to make tax filing a headache for many working students.

And for international students, the complexities thicken.

In time for tax season, the International Student Life office in Memorial Hall offers free walk-in appointments and workshops to aid international students in the process of tax filing.

“We train students to help us with our international tax assistance program,” said Jessica Wells, ISL assistant director.

Because of the high volume of work needed to file non-resident tax forms, only international students would be eligible for the services.

According to the Internal Revenue Services’ Web site, non-residential tax filing requires multiple steps, and each of those steps factor in aspects that resident tax filers don’t have to consider. For example, residents who did not work in 2008 will not file.

Non-resident students must file and many of the line-itemed inquiries pose questions that require professional advice. Unfortunately, the added complexity of the process comes with a price when using a professional service.

“We’ve heard for a simple tax return, it can cost an international student up to $200,” Wells said.

The ISL program aims to provide an alternative to expensive measures. Services are provided free of cost through a host of volunteers.

“Volunteers have a set number of hours to help at workshops or walk-in sessions,” she said.

Workshops explain the dual step process beginning with CINTAX software, a tax preparation service that categorizes filers’ information.

According to the International Tax Assistance Program brochures and pamphlets, the program sponsors access to the tax preparation software, which saves students from spending $39 on the product.

“Due to high volume of work required to complete non-resident tax forms, the service is limited to the University’s international students,” Wells said.

Other volunteers of the ISL’s program were unavailable for comment because of the busy nature of tax season.

Tax filing questions from students who do not belong to the international student population, however, can still be answered by information provided through the ISL office.