Concord University’s accounting students once again prepared tax returns for people in the community. Nine students took an income tax class in the fall and passed Internal Revenue Service Tests to become certified VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) volunteers.
Students volunteering with the program include: Jessica Blessing, Kimberly Bonds, Anthony Cornell, Craig Gilpin, Jason Halsey, Anthony Pyle, Kari Simon, Robert Sumpter and Shea Boothe. Boothe received the award for the Outstanding VITA Volunteer at a reception at the President’s house on Monday, April 13.
The students worked under the guidance of accounting faculty member, Cynthia Khanlarian, CPA, CMA, Ph. D. Faculty member Dr. Charlotte Davis also participated in the program.
The student volunteers filed 516 tax returns for the 2014 tax season. Refunds for citizens in the area totaled $394,759. The average income for tax filers in the area was $19,823. Claims of $359,131 for the Earned Income Credit were processed and are included in the total refunds.
The program operated out of the Rahall Technology Center on the Concord University campus but the students also traveled to Princeton to the Commission on Aging. They prepared returns for citizens from Bluefield to Jumping Branch, Matoaka, Cool Ridge and Beckley.
Students were required to pass the IRS Advanced course with an 80 percent or higher score. They were then required to work at least 30 hours actually preparing tax returns. The students receive three hours credit for participating along with the grateful thanks of the people they assist.
