SUNY Oneonta Students Get Hands-On Experience Filing Taxes

SUNY Oneonta accounting and business students received firsthand experience for the future by preparing income tax returns for the community, continuing an annual tradition in Alumni Hall and the ExCL Center on Dietz Street.

Through the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, 30 students were extensively trained and were available through April 13 to provide basic tax return preparation and filing free of charge. Their services were available to area residents, with appointments available on Wednesdays, 5:30 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon. The team was excited to be able to assist community members and completed more than 60 tax returns this year.

The tradition, which was started years ago by a beloved former professor, William "Jeff" Weinell, is part of a three-credit class taught by Assistant Professor of Accounting Charlene Foley-Deno. To ensure privacy, the students escort each client into an office space to begin the intake interview. Completed returns are reviewed by student coordinators and, finally, by Foley-Deno before clients return the following week for an exit interview. At the exit interview, the team assigned to the client meets with them to review the details of their return.

"We used to do the returns side-by-side with clients in a computer lab in one sitting, but this really brings a new level of professionalism, how it's done in the real world, and also allows for collaboration among the students," Foley-Deno explained. "All of this-dealing with the public, working with all kinds of people, 50 hours of training, attention to detail, being professional-it's a low-stakes environment providing a huge benefit. They are on their home turf, where they feel comfortable and confident and have each other, and there's just so much potential for growth. It's really fun to watch them as they transition."