Free Tax Help Available To Community From Qualified SUU Accounting Students

Published: April 04, 2005 | Author: Renee Ballenger | Read Time: 2 minutes

Tax season is here, and accounting students at Southern Utah University will again volunteer to assist community members file their income taxes before the April 15 deadline.

Students and community members can receive income tax assistance from upper division undergraduate and graduate accounting students up until right before April 15. The service is available Monday-Thursday (excluding holidays and spring break) from 6 to 9 p.m. in Room 107 of the Dixie Leavitt Business Building.

Jeff Barnes, Associate Professor of Accounting and adviser to the tax-help students, says that this community service program has been very successful and worthwhile. “Other students and members of the community really appreciate this help. It takes stress off of them.”

Clients in need of tax assistance are asked to bring their W-2, 1099 and other pertinent tax documents. A copy of last year’s tax return would also be helpful.

Barnes continues, “This service is a type of experience not only helpful to the community but also to accounting students. It gives (accounting students) experience because they are receiving hands-on experience working with taxes and are working with people and asking questions.”

Students help answer questions about the tax filing process and complete all the work on the computer, using Turbo Tax and e-file returns. Special programming had to be executed by SUU’s Information Technology staff to facilitate this program. The students are prepared to file returns that are standard and fairly simple. Returns that require more attention will most likely be referred to an off-campus professional.

--SUU—

Through its more than 100-year history, Southern Utah University has evolved from a teacher training school into its current role as a comprehensive, regional university to 6,000 students from across the globe. It serves the southern region of Utah and contiguous counties in surrounding states with undergraduate and graduate programs in six colleges. People of the region look to the University for outreach services, culture, economic and business development, higher learning, regional history, public affairs, major academic specialties, and significant entertainment and recreation. Accentuated by the notable, economic value of its services, SUU's hallmark is its quality staff, faculty and academics.

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