AU faculty, students offer free tax prep through VITA

2/3/21 ASHLAND, Ohio – Faculty and students in the Ashland University Dauch College of Business and Economics are again offering free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The program, which is designed to assist in tax preparation for those who are eligible and allows for free e-file of federal and state returns, will have a few adaptations this year because of COVID-19.

“Instead of open hours for clients to get their taxes completed, they must drop off their tax documents at Room 101 in the Dauch College of Business and Economics located at 400 College Ave. We will copy and upload the returns into the IRS software and the completed tax return can either be picked up or it can be mailed back to them,” said Vicki Kaskey, Chair of AU’s Accounting and Information Systems Department. “The drop off hours beginning on Monday, Feb. 15, are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.”

Kaskey said participants will be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis, and those interested need to bring an ID,  W-2s, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, mortgage interest, real estate tax payments, Social Security Card and all tax documents. Those with questions can leave a message at 419-207-6239.

The suggested salary range for the VITA Program is $54,000 or less, although AU will accommodate free tax preparation and filing services to those that the IRS deems as having “simple returns,” according to Kaskey. If a tax return contains any items that are out of scope for the AU program, the volunteers will be unable to prepare the tax return.

Kaskey said that AU students volunteer to undergo Internal Revenue Service training to assist people in preparing their income tax returns. The free tax assistance is available through the VITA program sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service along with Ashland University student groups.

Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.###