Doing your own tax return can be complicated and stressful. Having an accountant or tax preparer do it can run you at least a couple hundred dollars, which puts that option out of reach for many.
To address this issue while getting useful professional experience, a group of about 30 Siena business students have earned their IRS tax prep certification and are helping local community members prepare and file their tax returns.
The outreach was organized by Elaine Phelan, C.P.A., professor of accounting, through an IRS program called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). People who generally make $64,000 or less, those with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers all qualify for the service. This is the 14th year Siena has participated.
“This is an excellent fit with Siena’s mission, and a good way for students to receive professional experience,” said Phelan. “These are actual clients they serve, and we have had such positive feedback about our students’ kindness, knowledge level, and thoughtfulness.”
Siena is partnering this year with Catholic Charities, and Saints have been heading to their Albany offices on Sundays to meet with clients. They expect to prepare more than 500 returns before the April 15 filing deadline.
Phelan initially encouraged students in her Taxation I class to volunteer given how it aligns with course content, but noted that students of any major are welcome join the outreach.
To learn the regulations for preparing returns, the volunteers were given a two-inch thick packet of IRS material to study over the winter break. They gathered in late January to take the IRS certification exam, which Phelan said will be a helpful addition to their resumes.
Blake Powers ’26, Aidan Ciancio ’24 and Brendan Hirsch ’25 are co-captains of Siena’s VITA squad, and said their group is grateful for the tax prep experience and the chance to help others.
“Sometimes you forget in life how fortunate you are. VITA is a way to meet real people, who deal with real problems, and give them real solutions,” said Powers. “With little to no experience, a student can give back thousands of dollars to the Albany community simply by preparing tax returns.”
The VITA program helps students develop skills to succeed in all areas of business while giving their time to the local community in a very personal way.
Ciancio added, “The opportunity for one-on-one interactions gives students a real chance to make an impact, and our time makes a difference for each community member we interact with. The program is also great for hands-on tax experience, which provides real-world practice and can be used on your resume.”
Hirsch said volunteering with the VITA program is “a phenomenal opportunity” for all Siena students, especially those pursuing some sort of accounting or finance major.
“We are so lucky to be able to take advantage of this here at Siena,” he said. “The program allows for students to gain real-world, hands-on experience that perfectly supplements and expands on what we’re learning in the classroom. It also helps members of the community by alleviating some of the financial burden and stress that can go along with tax preparation. It’s a great way to not only add some experience to your resume, but to help practice interpersonal skills.”
Phelan said she would like to reinstate the program for Siena employees who qualify.
