Accounting Students Provide Tax Assistance to the Community

Published: January 19, 2018 | Author: Miles Anderson | Read Time: 1 minutes

The School of Business is gearing up for tax season as the deadline for filing tax returns draws near. Southern Utah University’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance lab will open its doors on the 30th of January to Cedar City residents who need help with the process.

VITA offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

Each year, students enrolled in the School of Business accounting department complete between 600-800 tax returns for community members. Assisting local taxpayers in obtaining over a million dollars in total federal tax refunds, VITA also provides a return for students. Preparing taxes gives students practical experience that complements their classroom education and builds resumes.

Paige Campos, a student in the Master of Accountancy Program from West Valley, Utah, is one of two site coordinators for SUU’s VITA lab this year.

“VITA benefits the community by giving a valuable service to those who need assistance: a chance to get their taxes prepared by our IRS certified students,” said Campos. “It also allows those in Southern Utah University's Accounting program a chance to get hands-on experience with actual clients by preparing their tax return.”

VITA assistance is available on a first-come, first-served basis until Thursday, April 12. Walk-in hours are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Dixie Leavitt Business Building, room 207.

---

Contact Information:

435-586-5400
Contact the Office of Marketing Communication