Augusta University Accounting Students Address Volunteer Gap Through Free Tax Program

Twenty accounting students from Augusta University's James M. Hull College of Business prepare tax returns at no cost for qualifying residents. They work with United Way of the CSRA, stepping in where volunteers are needed for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.

The students take ACCT4950 – Service Learning in Tax. They train first, then clock service hours at VITA locations around town. This program kicked off this semester when accounting professor Sang Park spotted a shortage of helpers.

Park heard about campus-based VITA programs from colleagues at Cal State Northridge. Then he discovered United Way ran a similar setup but lacked enough volunteers to meet demand.

Park teamed up with colleagues Robyn Verdery and Peter Basciano to build the initiative from scratch. They traveled to the University of Georgia, studied how successful university-based VITA models operated, and then built their own version.

Every student participating has passed IRS-required certifications. These include Volunteer Standards of Conduct and Intake, Interview, and Quality Review. Students work through simulations that drill professional standards on confidentiality and quality control before they meet any clients.

Nadine Kendrick coordinates the United Way of the CSRA VITA program. She said this partnership solves a problem.

Students gain experience working with clients and managing tasks that come with serving the public in a professional setting. Tax season ends, but the skills they build here stick around.

Residents who know someone who might qualify can spread the word about these free tax services by visiting www.uwcsra.org/vita.