Students Provide Free Tax Preparation Expertise through VITA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

(VITA) volunteers provide free income tax preparation assistance to low-Income, elderly, disabled and limited English speaking people. Volunteers receive extensive training by the IRS on tax laws and the use of TaxWise software.

According to faculty advisor, Keith Jones (ACC), several members of the Student Accounting Society (SAS) in the College of Business recently completed the training and passed the required certification exam. They are now spending two-to-four hours a week preparing tax returns at various sites the organization services including the Normal Public Library, the Bloomington Housing Authority, and the Normal Senior Center.

“VITA is a great way for accounting students to get real-world experience in tax return preparation and client interaction,” said Eric Wiersema, SAS VITA Chairperson for 2008. Wiersema believes VITA offers an important way for students help to lower income individuals and families unable to afford for-profit tax preparation services. “Sometimes the people we assist receive refunds that they might not have gotten otherwise.” he explained, “and that is very rewarding. I encourage every accounting major to participate.”

In addition to tax preparers, VITA seeks volunteers to work as greeters, translators, baby sitters and IT Consultants. To learn more about participating visit http://www.vita-volunteers.org.