Accounting and finance learners will give no cost tax prep

For a fifth yr, pupils pursuing accounting and finance degrees in the College of North Georgia’s (UNG) Mike Cottrell Faculty of Company (MCCB) will construct their tax planning abilities and aid the surrounding communities as section of the Volunteer Cash flow Tax Support (VITA) method sponsored by the IRS.  The method served about 100 taxpayers in the 2019 filing year.

The free of charge tax preparation expert services are open up by appointment only from 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from Feb. 2 through March 2 in space 011 of Newton Oakes on UNG’s Dahlonega Campus. For the in-man or woman appointments, members need to adhere to UNG’s prerequisites to put on a mask within all college properties and observe social distancing.

Appointments can be scheduled by leaving a message for Lisa Nash, lecturer of accounting at UNG and a CPA, at 706-867-3082.

The IRS presents a list of “what to bring” to a VITA web site so taxpayers can be well prepared for their appointment. Nash will also talk about people items when scheduling the appointment.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nash explained the submitting period for 2020 taxes will be a problem for taxpayers as they navigate the several tax regulation modifications enacted to provide reduction.

“The variations affect all places of the person return: revenue, deductions and tax credits. The Restoration Rebate Credit history requires taxpayers to reconcile their financial impression stimulus payments on their 2020 tax return to assure they acquired the utmost stimulus quantity,” Nash stated. “The mission of the VITA program is to help tax filers navigate the variations and file precise returns.”

VITA features free tax companies to individuals who frequently make $57,000 or considerably less. College students get ready 1040 sorts with schedules A, B, C-EZ, and D, alongside with fundamental tax credits. Federal and point out returns are prepared for free even though taxpayers are present. Nash reviews all returns with the taxpayers just before she data files them electronically with immediate deposit available, if preferred. The IRS will start accepting e-submitted returns on Feb. 12, so returns geared up amongst Feb. 2 and Feb. 12 will be filed on Feb. 12.

“The VITA plan provides students a superb arms-on working experience serving our local community. Learners obtain quite a few new techniques whilst taking element in the VITA program, which incorporate rising their complex tax abilities through getting ready tax returns, learning how to interact with purchasers, and understanding how to acquire suggestions on reviewed do the job,” mentioned Dr. Ellen Best, department head of Accounting and Regulation and an affiliate professor at UNG. “Skills received in VITA ultimately provide to superior get ready our students to be effective in a qualified function ecosystem.”

The learners, under Nash’s direction, are accredited by testing by means of the IRS.

“It’s a genuinely very good option specified the truth that a whole lot of internships are closing down mainly because of COVID,” explained Rachel Bryant, a senior from Carrollton, Georgia. “I am wanting ahead to carrying out a lot more for the neighborhood.”

Kenneth LaMore, a senior from Hiawassee, Georgia, is eager to achieve this encounter.

“It is superb to have the opportunity to aid individuals with their taxes,” LaMore explained. “It also offers me a possibility to master a tiny bit additional about how to do taxes for an person, how to chat to them. It assists you see what it would be like to do this on a working day-to-day foundation.”

In addition to a bachelor’s degree in accounting offered on UNG’s Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses, UNG also provides a Master of Accountancy. Contact Finest for additional info at ellen.very best@ung.edu.