While filing taxes may not seem like everyone’s idea of “fun,” for Colorado State University accounting master’s student Jacquline Natrasevschi, the eight weeks spent as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is time well spent.
“I feel happy when I’m done here,” said Natrasevschi, who has volunteered with the program for four years. “Even when it’s a long day and sometimes people can be frustrated, I feel rewarded because I can see the impact that we’re making.”
VITA provides free tax assistance to people with an annual income of $60,000 or less and clients older than 60, including qualifying CSU students and employees. The program is run by Beta Alpha Psi, an international honorary and service organization for accounting, finance and information systems students, along with community members who are IRS trained and certified volunteers.
Showcasing ‘Business for a Better World’
Natrasevschi recalled a recent moment when two regular clients came in and didn’t realize that the wife, who is currently on disability, could still file a $1 return so that she also received her $800 TABOR refund.
“That $800 to her was a godsend,” she said. “So, if I can impact one person like that, just imagine how much impact we can have with the over 40 people a week that come through here.”
Certified public accountant Mandy Sharpe, a tax and accounting instructor for the College of Business and the faculty adviser for VITA, said the program is a prime example of the college’s “Business for a Better World” mission.
Building confidence
Community volunteer Mike Werner has been working with VITA for almost 30 years. He helped bring the program to CSU seven years ago and now works as a site coordinator, serving as a supervisor and mentor for the students.
“The most rewarding part is seeing how the students grow during the eight weeks,” Werner said. “A student may be a little bit hesitant at the beginning, but by April they’re really confident on how to interview clients and get the information that is necessary to best help.”
Because you never know who’s going to walk in the door, Werner said all student volunteers are trained in basic income tax preparation, and some are also certified in specialized areas including military or small business returns.
This was accounting major Jason Ortiz’s first year volunteering with the program.
“This was a great way for me to get more experience and really gauge whether I want to continue in this industry,” Ortiz said. “And so far, I’ve really liked it. I’ve enjoyed working in taxes and talking to people, so I think it’s something that I will be pursuing.”
There to help
VITA has also provided Ortiz with an opportunity to use his bilingual skills, helping Spanish-speaking clients navigate their tax returns.
“It can be incredibly difficult for people who maybe have just arrived in the United States and maybe all they have is work permits, and they have no idea how taxes work in the United States,” he said. “And even for those who have been here for a while, it’s helpful to have that translation so that they can feel confident that they will understand what we’re doing to help them.”
Making sure that sure that things run smoothly from the minute a client walks in the door to the moment they sign their returns is senior business student Zoe Fritts’ role. After a few years volunteering with the program, Fritts served as the program’s lead site coordinator this year, and said she enjoys helping clients find clarity in what can be a challenging time.
“It’s easy for people to get overwhelmed with taxes,” she said. “That’s why we’re here to help.”
CSU’s College of Business is building a community of action-oriented leaders focused on using Business for a Better World through its leading-edge research, accessible education and top-rated undergraduate and graduate programs. Connecting the principles of people, planet, profit, and purpose across organizational business goals has earned the College global recognition, including being named one of five Best Business Schools in the world for responsible business education by Financial Times.
