MISSOULA, MT — Tax season often brings stress, especially for low-income individuals who struggle to navigate the complex filing process. Fortunately, students at the University of Montana (UM) are stepping in to provide valuable support through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
Led by Leah Diehl, an assistant professor of accounting at UM, the VITA program allows both undergraduate and graduate students to help community members file their taxes for free. Over the years, the program has helped return nearly half a million dollars to the local community, a figure Diehl says reflects the program’s impact.
“It’s great to give back. It’s great to help provide these people with the best tax return that they can get, because that money can mean a lot to these people,” said Will Larson, an accounting major at UM, who volunteers his time every Saturday during tax season.
The VITA program is a key learning opportunity for students, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge in real-world situations. Volunteers meet with community members in person to help with straightforward tax returns, such as those filed by seniors on social security or individuals with annual earnings under $60,000. Some cases are more complex, especially when clients are self-employed, like Uber drivers, and face the possibility of owing money instead of receiving a refund.
Despite these challenges, Diehl believes the program provides invaluable experiences for students, who not only practice technical tax skills but also gain essential client relationship experience. “For taxes, it’s private and confidential information. So for them to actually get to work with taxpayers locally, face-to-face, start to work on that client relationship skill along with the technical skills, it’s so valuable for our students,” she explained.
Larson, who regularly participates, shared that seeing the impact of their help is one of the most rewarding aspects of the program. “For us to be able to provide this service for free and get people the maximum refund that they might not have been able to get if they prepare it on their own is definitely a great feeling,” he said.
Though the VITA program has become a beloved community resource, there is currently a waitlist for tax assistance. However, individuals interested in signing up can visit the University of Montana’s website under the College of Business for more information and to register.
The VITA Tax Return Program represents a meaningful collaboration between the university and the Missoula community, benefiting both students and taxpayers alike during the busy tax season.
