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By Jeff Keeling
News & Neighbor
Milligan College’s VITA tax preparation program puts the college’s servant leadership emphasis on display each year, and starting Feb. 3, senior accounting major Grace Rea will be right in the midst of it for a second year.
Rea and more than two dozen other students are the core of the program, which offers free, IRS-certified return preparation Feb. 3 through April 15. Now in its sixth year, the program features a new on-line registration option (at vita.milligan.edu) and a new major sponsor, Appalachian Community Federal Union (ACFCU), which will be a host site for return preparation on Tuesday nights.
Led by Milligan professor Dr. Harold Branstrator, the IRS VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program offers a free alternative that provides the same fast refunds as paid preparers do. In 2013,volunteers completed 505 returns, saving clients more than $125,000 compared to if they had used fee-based services. This year’s program features seven sites, with services offered Mondays through Thursdays and Saturday mornings.
“I knew I wanted to do some kind of accounting, but I really have enjoyed tax this semester,” Rea said as she wrapped up her 2013 VITA service as a junior accounting major. “A lot of these returns mean more to clients than most people might think. It can be a big difference for a lot of people, so this is just a great way to give back.”
Taxpayers eligible for VITA services include: people with annual incomes of less than $50,000; anyone with a physical disability; non English-speaking citizens; and people older than 55.
“Milligan’s VITA site has become one of the strongest in the Southeast,”Dr. Branstrator said. “We see this as a ministry of justice to low and moderate-income taxpayers, our volunteers (mostly Milligan students) are competent, courteous and respectful and we have a near-zero error rate, much lower than the average for paid preparers.
“I believe this approach is what has caused our rapid growth, which includes many repeat customers,” Dr. Branstrator added. “The fact that we’re saving the average client a couple hundred dollars or more certainly plays a role as well — people like to keep their own money.”
Under the supervision of Branstrator, a former IRS employee, returns are prepared by Milligan students, with nearly 30 participating this year. Those students complete a three-week certification process that is standard with VITA and leaves them prepared at the high level expected by the IRS.
Milligan President Dr. Bill Greer said the VITA program has become a highly effective example of the college’s strong emphasis on servant leadership.
“VITA is a practical, hands-on way for our students to make a positive difference in the community,” Dr. Greer said. “It’s been inspiring to see so many students grow to share Dr. Branstrator’s passion for helping taxpayers. This program’s growing popularity with clients and host sites shows there has been a great unmet need out there for this type of service.”
It was the whole VITA package that impressed ACFCU CEO Ron Scott when he learned of it last summer. Scott said the program mirrored ACFCU’s mission of reaching the financially underserved.
“Our schools and families do not discuss finances or prepare people for financial matters as generations before us did,” Scott said. “This program provides the basic need of any American tax payer, and it is provided professionally and caringly.
“Our members will not only receive good service with a completed tax form, they will be more knowledgeable about what their options are and what is good for them.”
Sites and days of operation include:
To schedule an appointment, call (423) 461-8700, (423) 773-6438 or 928-7866 (Grandview Christian only), or register online at vita.milligan.edu.