Service learning class offers complimentary assistance filing taxes
Junior Kayla Griffith helps a High Point resident with yearly tax returns free of charge. Photo by: highpoint.edu
By Madeline Travell // Organizations Editor
For many low-income families, preparing taxes through an agency may not be a financially viable option. High Point University students have devoted their time to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA), a free program that helps individuals and families of low to moderate incomes file their tax returns for the year without any expense for the client.
The majority of the clientele comes from very low-income households making roughly $50,000 or less per year that do not have the means to pay an agency to prepare their taxes.
It is imperative that the clients bring all the proper paperwork, identification and information needed to the session or else their taxes cannot be completed.
“Not only does volunteering make a difference, but seeing what we take for granted everyday really sets in when you meet and see the lives of each client that comes to the VITA program,” said junior Kayla Griffith.
HPU students participate by enrolling in a service learning class in which students can sign up to be a part of the VITA program. This course gives students a hands-on experience in which they are able to reach out to and engage with the community.
The class meets only a few times throughout the semester as a progress report and students in the class create their own schedules that are flexible around their other commitments. Students who participate in this program are completely self-sufficient and reliant on their own skill set to prepare taxes.
“VITA is a great program that really helps High Point students give back to the local community and gain real- world experiences in return,” said junior Dan Hurley.
The university has partnered with this program for a few years and looks forward to continuing their relationship in the future. Along with HPU, other volunteer providers for VITA include United Way, High Point Housing Authority, West End Ministries, Macedonia Family Resource Center and Guilford Technical Community College.
Since this program is completely volunteer based, students in the class are not always accounting majors. Any students who are interested in participating are taught the necessary requirements and are able to attain any certifications needed.
“The purpose of volunteering is really crucial to not only yourself, but the lives of those it affects,” said junior Kayla Griffith. “It is very easy to get caught up in the routines of our own busy lives, but taking a moment to help someone else really passes on that lesson.”