Accounting students from the University of Colorado at Boulder's College of Business will prepare tax returns for low-income people and those with special needs in two free tax clinics on March 14 and April 4.
Under the auspices of the Internal Revenue Service's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, members of the accounting fraternity Beta Alpha Psi and students enrolled in the college's personal finance planning and income tax classes will staff the program under the direction of College of Business instructor Nancy Stec-Helstad. The program serves those who are unable to pay for tax preparation as well as people with disabilities, those who don't speak English and the elderly.
The tax clinics will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Meadows Branch Library, 4800 Baseline Road in Boulder.
Lisa Reichert, president of Beta Alpha Psi, has participated in the program for two years.
"The people who come in truly need help," she said. "Taxes are complicated. Even though we're students and we don't think we know that much, our knowledge does help them. It's a good feeling."
Stec-Helstad encourages her students to give back to their community. "We have a skill that people need, so hopefully we can keep this going," she said. "Tax time is there every April. It's not going away."
The College of Business has been participating in the program for more than 15 years, demonstrating its dedication to the practice of social responsibility, said business Dean Steven Manaster. "We are committed to advancing professional and social issues through our activities," he said. "Through our projects and our research, we can positively influence the community in which we reside."
The tax clinics are geared toward lower-income families and people with simple tax returns. People interested in assistance are asked to bring this year's tax form, W-2 wage and earning statements, interest statements from banks, a copy of last year's tax return, mortgage statements and other relevant documents.
For more information call Nancy Stec-Helstad at (303) 492-0141.