Qualified Students Offer Free Tax Help at SUU, Saves You Money

Published: April 01, 2007 | Read Time: 2 minutes

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

Students and community members can receive income tax assistance from upper division undergraduate and graduate accounting students through April 12. The service is available Monday-Thursday (excluding holidays and spring break) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 107—the new Steve Harrop Investment and Service-Learning Laboratory--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. Also, a valid picture ID and social security card are needed.

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 will help answer questions about the tax filing process and complete all the work on computer, using IRS-approved TaxWise e-file returns. Barnes explains, "This saves VITA customers a lot of fees they would otherwise have to pay if either going to a commercial tax preparer or using their own web-connecting tax software package that they purchased on their own."

The students are prepared and capable of filing returns that are standard and fairly simple, on the state and federal level, and for every state. "Choosing this service by students as the method for filing your taxes will save you money," Barnes states.

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