Leeds helps residents receive $461K in tax refunds through IRS program

For the 8th year in a row, students from Leeds and the Law School with faculty help volunteered to prepare taxes for free through the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free tax preparation services for low-income residents.  

For the 2016 tax season, Leeds students helped prepare nearly 500 returns for Boulder County residents. In total this year, returns filed by students resulted in more than $461,000 in issued refunds, $155,000 total earned income tax credits, $96,000 child tax credits and $42,000 education tax credits.

“Our students did an outstanding job and this experience is invaluable for them to apply their skills in a real-world situation. It also provides a humbling and rewarding experience that comes from serving the community,” said Susan Morley, senior accounting instructor and faculty advisor of the Leeds’ VITA program. “We look forward to serving Boulder County’s community again next season and we know that our students and community volunteers are just as excited to continue this partnership.”

To be eligible to prepare tax returns, students must have passed an IRS certification exam before they can be a part of this program. This year, 33 students from Leeds and the Law School helped prepare tax returns. To ensure accuracy, all returns are screened and vetted by community volunteers who have previous work experience in tax law. 15 volunteers helped screen all tax returns—ensuring the accuracy of returns for community members using the program.

The VITA program is open to all residents who make less than $54,000 a year or those people with disabilities or who are limited English speakers. For people who meet the requirements, residents who request help in preparing their tax returns can contact IRS-certified volunteers through the program to provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing. VITA-dedicated sites are located throughout the state in local community and neighborhood centers, libraries, shopping malls and other convenient locations.

For the past eight years during the active tax season months of January through the beginning of April, Leeds has offered walk-in appointments for tax preparation for those meeting the program requirements. Details about next year’s program at Leeds will be available in January 2018.

For pre-recorded information about CU-Boulder’s free student-led tax preparation assistance through VITA, including hours and location, call 303-492-6654.

Learn more about pursuing a Leeds undergraduate or MS degree in accounting.