The Triangle

Issue date: 2/13/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Francesca Martelli

Media Credit: Francesca Martelli

The IRS' Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, which was established at Drexel in 2005, is providing tax assistance at no cost to those in need.

"It gives students an opportunity to give back to the community [and] the IRS is so appreciative," faculty adviser for VITA and accounting professor Jane Kaplan said.

This year 36 students have signed up to volunteer.

"We have pizza and stay after [the appointments are finished,] and [the program] becomes a community. Everybody helps each other out," Kaplan said.

According to Kaplan, VITA appeals to a lot of people outside of Drexel's LeBow Business College.

"Not all of them are business majors or know anything about taxes before they join … IT and non-business majors participate as well," Kaplan said.

Freshman Ken Liang, finance and international business major, said he didn't know much about taxes before VITA.

"I have so much to learn [but] it might help me in the future, when I need to do it myself," Liang said.

Jesse Nepywoda, a sophomore finance and accounting major, said he sells life insurance and many of his clients are lower income individuals.

However, Johnathan Abreau, freshman accounting, finance and economics major decided to join because he thought that it was good for the community and good to get exposed to accounting principles.

Kaplan said no matter why people joined, VITA empowers students to help others and through the program they really make a difference.

"This being a co-op school, there are tons of people who need their taxes done," Kaplan says.

To sign up there are six things that people must bring: proof of identification, Social Security card, copies of W-2, W-2G, 1099-R forms from all employers, bank routing number and account numbers for direct deposit, child care provider identification number and a copy of last year's Federal and State returns if available.

"This year it's all done online, which should make it easier," Katherine Crawford, a veteran at VITA said. "[The whole process] usually takes around 30 minutes to an hour and a half, depending how complicated it is."

One of the people who showed up to get her taxes done was 26-year-old, Drexel alumnus, Laronda Jackson.

"I started coming in 2005. Then in 2007 my sister started coming with me, and today we brought our dad with us."

VITA meets every Monday and Wednesday from 4:45 to 8 p.m. through April 10 in Pearlstein Room 205.

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