"Wow!!! I am simply amazed by the help and service I received. It was friendly and professional. I am fully confident that everything was completed correctly. I will be a return client!"
"I was incredibly satisfied with the help I received. All persons I came across today treated me with respect and were so kind to explain things to me. I even get a credit this year, thanks to my tax preparer’s knowledge. You guys are fabulous."
"Everyone is so helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. Wish I would have found this years ago."
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is an IRS initiative designed to promote and support free tax preparation service for the underserved, low income populations. These include the elderly, disabled, limited-English- speaking, rural communities, and Native American taxpayers. Davenport University became involved in the VITA program over nine years ago with a handful of students. In 2008, DU opened its own tax sites, managed entirely by DU students.
In 2010 Davenport University spearheaded a West Michigan Collegiate VITA Partnership. We have over 90 student volunteers from Davenport University, Aquinas College, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University and Hope College. Davenport University students universally enjoyed working with their student counterparts at other West Michigan colleges.
We have sites located in three counties in West Michigan, however, DU student volunteers participate in VITA across the state of Michigan. Sign-ups are throughout the months of November and December and the tax season runs from January through April 15.
| 2011 DU Site Coordinators | ||
| Tara Colvin, alumnus | Eric Poll, student | Linh Van, alumnus |
| Callie Courtright, alumnus | Sarah Lewis, alumnus | Bobbie Rohen, alumnus |
| Barbara Gering, alumnus/staff | Dawn McCallum, student | Katie Madison, student/staff |
| Brian Jager, alumnus | Melissa Palmores, alumnus | Hiren Ashara, student |
| Maralana Huston, alumnus | Rachael Toscano, student | Jacob Harig, student |
Some DU students use this experience as an internship, others to fulfill their Accounting Honors Program 60 hour service learning project while other students find the program offers real world experience that is terrific preparation for a career in tax preparation. Many employers are hiring students with VITA service on their resumes, and see it as a very valuable real-world experience.
To learn more about VITA volunteer tax assistance, contact Judy Knapp at Judy.knapp@davenport.edu [1].
For additional information on site locations and tax appointments, visit taxhelp.davenport.edu [2].
Links:
[1] mailto:Judy.knapp@davenport.edu
[2] http://taxhelp.davenport.edu