Ohio Dominican University Accounting students and faculty offer free income tax preparation services to qualified individuals through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
VITA offers free tax help to people with low-to-moderate income (generally $51,000 and below). Through this program, ODU Accounting students offer assistance with special credits, including earned income tax credit, child tax credit and credit for the elderly.
Since first offering the VITA program in 2007, ODU faculty and students have helped prepare 2,336 tax returns.
In spring 2015, ODU students and faculty prepared 203 state and federal income tax returns, and processed $113,088 in refunds. The service also saved clients an estimated $50,000 in tax preparation fees.
The Internal Revenue Service certifies as tax preparers participating Accounting students, usually juniors and seniors. Under the supervision of faculty members who are certified public accountants, students prepare federal, state, local school and city income tax returns. In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, the program offers free electronic filing (e-filing).
For additional information on the VITA program, contact: