APSU College of Business offers free, virtual tax prep to qualifying individuals

Dr. Jennifer Thayer with previous (pre-COVID-19) VITA students.

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Last spring, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted one of Austin Peay State University’s most popular community projects – the College of Business’s free tax preparation program, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). Now, with tax season underway, the college is once again offering the program, but in a virtual format.

For the last four years, APSU has offered the VITA program as part of a service-learning course that provides an important community service while also giving APSU accounting students practical, real-world experience. The program is open to anyone with an annual income of $66,000 or less, and their taxes are prepared by APSU students who are all IRS-certified volunteers.

“This is such a great program for both the taxpayers and students alike,” Business Professor Jennifer Thayer said. “Taxes can be an overwhelming and stressful task for people and the VITA program is able to alleviate the stress of filing. It is a relatively simple process for the taxpayer as they go through a series of interview questions and provide their tax documents to the preparers. Every tax return completed is then quality reviewed for accuracy.”

Late last year, Thayer worried the ongoing pandemic might once again disrupt this important community project because social distancing doesn’t easily allow for discussions about private finance matters. But then she met Tamara Kreigh, the United Way of Greater Nashville’s regional coordinator for their VITA program. That organization recently partnered with GetYourRefund.org, an encrypted, secure online platform, and Kreigh invited Thayer and her 13 students to join their virtual VITA site.

Thayer’s class, Accounting 4311, spent winter break studying and preparing to take the required certification tests. In addition, to the usual certifications, the students also had to become proficient in navigating GetYourRefund.org.

“For the students, it is a wonderful experiential learning process for them,” Thayer said. “They are able to take the concepts from their classes and apply them in real-world scenarios. The feedback from the students has been overwhelmingly positive. It gives them a sense of accomplishment knowing they successfully took the skills taught in the classroom and applied them all while making a difference in the community.”

Anyone who earned less than $66,000 last year and is interested in having their taxes completed by an IRS-certified volunteer should visit GetYourRefund.org to begin the tax filing process. For more information on APSU’s VITA program, contact Thayer at thayerj@apsu.edu.

News Feed

View All News

APSU professor selected as American Academy of Nursing Fellow

Dr. Debra Rose Wilson, professor and Lenora C. Reuther Chair of Excellence in Austin Peay State University's School of Nursing, has been selected for induction as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, one of the profession's most prestigious distinctions.

Integrated learning prepares APSU students as entry-level roles decrease

With fewer entry-level jobs available, Austin Peay State University's College of Business has responded by increasing experiential learning participation by 37%--connecting students with real organizations, AI-focused coursework, and global immersion experiences to build the skills employers value most.

New scanning electron microscope brings meteorites, opportunity into focus at APSU

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences has acquired a new scanning electron microscope, giving students publication-quality imaging and chemical analysis capabilities -- including the chance to study meteorites -- previously accessible only at major research institutions.