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Taxing Times |
Filing tax returns may be a dreaded annual chore for many—but not for dozens of accounting students at Cal Poly Pomona. These students willingly donate several Saturdays to volunteer to file taxes, not for themselves, but for those in need.
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Tina
Quan, a senior accounting major helps Freddy Leong of Pomona with
income tax forms. Students from Cal Poly Pomona's College of Business
Administration provide free income tax assistance to disabled, elderly
and low-income residents.
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The accounting students are part of the Service in Taxation class at Cal Poly Pomona, which trains them on how to provide tax return assistance for the disabled, elderly and those with low incomes. Every year since 1975, enrolled students have gone into the communities surrounding the university, often at local libraries, and provided this valuable service free-of-charge for residents who otherwise might not be able to afford professional help.
Aarial Everett of Montclair has used the free service since she heard about the program through her mother three years ago.
"There have been different people each time I've come, but each person has been very kind, very helpful and very considerate," she says. "I guess I could do it, and someday I want to, but they make sure it's done right and sae me a lot of time."
Working on Saturdays from February through the infamous mid-April deadline, student volunteers filed the tax returns for more than 1,000 people this year. That doesn't include scores of others who come with lists of questions, seeking advice.
Spending part of a weekend handling taxes isn't exactly a wild and fun time for most college students. However, they gain something that can't be found in a textbook or classroom: hands-on experience.
Hong Ly, a senior majoring in accounting, admits that the work is relatively easy for her, but the experience is enriching and the practice is rewarding.
"This definitely made me learn more and experience more about this type of work," Ly says. "It feels good to help people who are relying on us."
The Service in Taxation class is part of a national community outreach service co-sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Tax Board. Student volunteers complete a rigorous training course involving 18 hours over three Saturdays to learn federal forms, as well as an additional six-hour session covering California forms.
For more information
about the Volunteer Service in Taxation program at Cal Poly Pomona,
call accounting professor Richard Hulme at (909) 869-2375.
Questions or comments? Please email publicaffair@csupomona.edu.