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Students pursuing accounting bachelor's degrees in the University of North Georgia's (̨��swag) Mike Cottrell College of Business (MCCB) will build their tax preparation skills and aid the surrounding communities as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program sponsored by the IRS. ̨��swag's program normally serves more than 100 taxpayers each filing season.

The free tax preparation services are offered by appointment only from 4-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from Feb. 2 through March 9. The location of the services has been moved to room 153 of the newly opened Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation on ̨��swag's Dahlonega Campus.

A new service this year includes offering an online, facilitated self-assist program where taxpayers can prepare their own tax returns online with the oversight assistance of the VITA volunteers. No appointment is necessary for facilitated self-assist. Computers are available and the volunteers are on hand to answer questions as needed to ensure accurate filing.   

For more information on the self-assist option or to schedule an appointment on campus, call 706-867-3082 or email vita@ung.edu. 

Taxpayers are encouraged review the for a list of items to bring to their appointment. 

Lisa Nash, a certified public accountant (CPA) and ̨��swag senior lecturer of accounting, continues to oversee the tax preparation services.

"The facilitated self-assist option allows the service to reach more taxpayers and provides the student volunteers the opportunity to assist with taxpayer questions," Nash said. 

Students get to grow both their soft skills and their technical knowledge, and our community members get knowledgeable assistance in preparing their tax returns.

Dr. Ellen Best

̨��swag department head of accounting and law

The facilitated self-assist filing is free for both federal and state returns for those individuals with income under $73,000. 

Students prepare 1040 forms with schedules A, B, C-EZ, and D, along with basic tax credits. Federal and state returns are prepared for free while taxpayers are present. Nash reviews all returns with the taxpayers before she files them electronically with direct deposit available, if desired.

The students, under Nash's direction, are certified by testing through the IRS.

Esther Rizo, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in accounting, said participation in VITA offers multiple benefits.

"I am looking forward to making connections and helping the elderly in the community by assisting them with their tax returns and answering any tax questions they may have. My goal is to make sure that every client I interact with has a good experience and continues to come back year after year to the VITA program," Rizo said. "By being a part of the VITA program, I hope to gain tax experience that will help me decide if the tax side of accounting is a good fit for me."

Erin Whatley, a senior from Cartersville, Georgia, also pursuing a degree in accounting, is eager to serve the community and grow in the process.

"This experience will help me in the future because I already did an internship in audit and have a job in audit, so this will give me a little bit of insight into what the other big side of accounting looks like," Whatley said. "This way, if I ever decide I need a change from audit, I know a little bit about what tax looks like in the workplace and can decide if it is something I will want to do full time."

In addition to a bachelor's degree in accounting offered on ̨��swag's Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses, ̨��swag also offers a Master of Accountancy. Contact Best for more information at ellen.best@ung.edu.