GVSU'S KAPPA BETA CHAPTER
THE VOLUNTARY INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
WHAT?
VITA is a community effort
originally conceived at Notre Dame. It has spread quickly to other colleges and
universities, especially those with urban populations. VITA is endorsed by the
Internal Revenue Service, and its primary function is to provide free federal
tax preparation for lower-income persons and families. Most VITA clients bring
their state and local tax information with them as well such that all tax
obligations can be satisfied in one hit.
WHEN?
VITA informational
meeting dates:
VITA training dates for winter semester 2004 are as
follows: 1/14, 1/21, and 1/28
All training sessions are held at the
VITA Saturday dates and times for winter 2004 are
as follows: 2/7, 2/14, 2/28, 3/13, and 3/20
All Saturday sessions are held from
Remember...All
students interested in participating should plan on attending all three
training sessions on the dates listed above. If attendance at all
training sessions is not possible, a video cassette of the training session can
be obtained by request.
Questions...concerning
VITA can be directed to a member of the E-board
WHO?
On the business side of the table
are students from GVSU, Calvin College, Aquinas College, and other local
institutions - typically accounting majors. We appreciate the assistance
provided by students outside of accounting who just wish to learn more. NO tax
preparation experience is necessary: training sessions (three) in early winter
provide you with the basics. Aiding the students are CPAs from accounting firms
large and small. These site leaders help the students thwart more complex tax
issues that pop up AND provide a node for anyone who wants to network in their
job search.
On the customer's side
of the table is the TAP (Taxpayer Assistance Program - aka VITA) client. These
persons represent various walks of life. No way exists to adequately describe
them other than to say they are genuine, interesting persons who are perhaps
less fortunate than many.
HOW?
The nuts & bolts of VITA are six
winter Saturdays, generally from 10 am - 2 pm - the United Methodist Community
House on Sheldon SE hosts us. Volunteers are asked to sign for two sessions,
but some preparers (students) enjoy the program so much they do all the sessions
or close thereto.
WHY?
First, the student (preparer)
derives satisfaction from doing some community work, broadening their social
perspective in the process. Secondly, one can meet potential job leads.
Thirdly, a VITA participant has a little extra "gleam" on their
resume or record. Finally, free catered lunch is provided (which is a primary
impetus for college students).
YOU MEET…
CPA site leaders from Arthur
Andersen, Deloitte & Touche, BDO Seidman, Beene Garter, Crowe Chizek,
Plante Moran, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and more.
WE NEED YOU FOR VITA...
Contact GVSU Professor of Taxation
Rick Harris (331-7399 or harrisr@gvsu.edu)
with questions. Be sure to attend the informational sessions in October and
November to sign up or get more information.
WHAT DO PAST VOLUNTEERS HAVE TO SAY?
"A
worthwhile experience by giving back to the community using our knowledge,
talents, and skills to prepare tax returns."
"This
was my second year doing this and I will do it again, but as a site leader.
This was great, because I had never before dealt with a client face-to-face. It
was a lot of fun for me to get to know other students, professionals from the
firms, and families from the community. I would recommend this to any student."
"I've
been lucky to have the same gentleman two years in a row - a former Polish
citizen who emigrated with his friend, and only the friend is bilingual. The
friend translates needed answers to tax questions, including the question about
'other income,' to which the answer is 'only vodka.'"
"The
VITA program was great. It was a wonderful experience - felt very fulfilled at
the end of the day. I am not an accounting major so I learned a ton. I would
definitely recommend doing it to others."
"It
was a very good experience. I felt like I did something really good for these
people. It put me in a good mood for the rest of the day. It's really an
accomplishment."
"My
most memorable client was the young single mom who moved to Saginaw, bought a
house, set up a day care business in it, was raped, moved back to Grand Rapids,
rented out the house in Saginaw and got a job in Grand Rapids to support her
family. Her courage is an inspiration to me."
"I
thought the VITA program was great. Not only did I learn a lot with the hands
on experience of doing taxes, but the program helps others in need. I have been
telling others about my experience and will continue to do so."
"It
was a great learning experience for me especially because I haven't taken individual
tax. I think everyone benefited from the experience and I would recommend VITA
to all GVSU students and other colleges."
"I
think that the VITA program was an awesome experience. I learned a lot about
myself and also those that I was helping. It was a very rewarding experience.
One of the clients that I helped almost started crying when we told her how
much money (couple grand) she was getting back. Then she told us that her kids
need shoes so bad and they didn't have any money right now, but this would be
able to give them new shoes."