 "Photo: Steven Brown/Echo staff photographer")
Volunteer students at N.C. Central University are preparing and filing tax returns free of charge to students and members of the community. This volunteer program is known as VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).
The free tax return and filing is offered to clients who earn less than $49,000 a year, and is offered on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. VITA is located in the Legal Clinic office in the basement of the Turner Law Building.
Students who volunteer are usually law and accounting students, according to Page Potter, director of the pro bono program at the Law School.
Student volunteers must pass a certification program.
"The test is about 10 hours long and is a basic certification, but supervisors have to have additional certification," said Potter.
Lindsae Adamson, a third -year law student, is a site coordinator. "I oversee the VITA site, making sure we follow all IRS guidelines," said Adamson. "I am also responsible for overseeing the e-filing of returns."
This is Adamson's second year volunteering for the VITA program.
"I enjoyed the work so much and saw how many people it helped, [so] I came back for a second year," said Adamson. "I have really taken up an interest in tax law."
Apparently this year's VITA service is a big hit. " I know it has succeeded the total number from last year already," said Adamson.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the free service. After the return is e-filed, the client can expect a return check in 7-10 days.
Students also can take advantage of such tax education credits as the lifetime learning credit or the American opportunity credit.
"Some of these credits can be up to $4,000," said Adamson.
The average undergrad receives a refund of between $500 and $2,000.
Page Potter warns of the dangers of other tax preparation services.
"Refund anticipation loans really are predatory," said Potter. "There can be a 300 percent markup in service fees for a same-day anticipation loan."
Adamson said, "I think VITA is an essential tool that should be used."
There are also other VITA sites throughout the community.
They are located at The Hillandale Road Staff Development Center, Social Services Building, City Hall, the Main Library and State Employees Credit Union (for depositors only).
More information is available at 919-530-6011 or visit tac-nc.com.
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