VSU Accounting Students Offering Free Tax Assistance to Local Residents

VSU uses business course requirement to provide a needed community service.

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY, VA—January 26, 2021, Virginia State University Accounting majors are working in cooperation with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide income tax preparation and filing assistance for 2020 tax returns to individual or joint filers in the Tri-Cities area with income below $58,000.

For the past 34 years, VSU accounting majors have provided this service, which is coordinated by Prof. Mary Scott, CPA, CFE, Assistant Professor of Accounting at VSU; and Dr. Hari Sharma, Chairman of the Accounting and Finance Department in the Reginald F. Lewis College of Business. The students’ participation is among the requirements of the federal income tax course.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site will accept tax information in 102 Singleton Hall, on the campus of Virginia State University and is being staffed three (3) days a week, beginning on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The days and times are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from noon to 7:00 p.m. through April 8, 2021. The service will not be available on March 2nd and March 24th due to no classes at the University.

Those desiring help in preparing and filing their tax returns should bring with them all essential records – W2 forms, SSA – 1099, if appropriate, etc. Due to COVID-19, tax information and valid identification will be dropped-off and taxes will be picked-up after completion. A VITA worker will call those utilizing the VITA services to review the tax return. Once return is picked up and approved by the taxpayer, the return will be filed electronically. IRS E-File for individuals is the easy alternative to filing paper returns.

For more information, contact Prof. Mary Scott, VITA Manager at (804) 504-7079, Dr. Hari Sharma, Department Chair or Bertha R. Morgan, Administrative Assistant at (804) 524-5842.