Milligan University students offer free tax preparation services to the community

Milligan University's VITA program is once again offering its services to the community in the form of free IRS-certified tax preparation. The students who participate in the program are trained extensively and are certified by the IRS to be able to provide tax return preparation services to people who live in the surrounding areas, and are supervised by faculty within the William B. Greene, Jr. School of Business & Technology.

According to a press release on Milligan University’s website, Dr. Kimberly Melinsky, who is an assistant professor of business administration, was quoted as saying of the VITA program, “The Milligan VITA program fully reflects the university’s mission of servant-leadership. Our students are trained in tax preparation to serve the community by filing tax returns for free. This experience is valued by both clients and students alike.”

The service is available to community members who meet any of the following criteria: they are older than 55, they make less than $64,000 annually, they have a physical disability, or they cannot speak English. In order to participate in the tax preparation services offered by VITA, taxpayers must fill out a questionnaire before making an appointment, and appointments are required. 

VITA services will be provided in Derthick Hall on Milligan University’s campus on February 24, March 16, and March 23. To make an appointment, visit VITA’s webpage.

Those who utilize VITA’s service see an average of $1,000 in tax refunds. Student volunteers will be able to advise taxpayers about which tax credits they may be eligible for and will file tax returns electronically.

The VITA program at Milligan University is sponsored by the Bank of Tennessee.

For more information about Milligan University, visit its website.