Helping people out of taxing situations

By Trisha Turner

More than 40 students from the IU School of Law-Indianapolis spent last spring using their skills and training to help make tax season a lot more bearable for senior citizens and others in need.

The students donated their time to preparing income tax forms for senior citizens and low-income families and individuals as part of the school's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) project.

Photo by Rick Baughn

VITA project helps senior citizens and low-income families prepare their income tax returns.

They set up shop in the community during tax season, spending Saturdays and some weekdays at the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, Literacy Services, Crossroads Industrial Services, Goodwill Industries and Brebeuf Preparatory School, all in Indianapolis. Steady crowds of people kept the students busy giving free assistance on tax documents.

"Many of the people who see us now are dependent on our help," said third year law student Greg Duncan of Indianapolis, director of the VITA project. "We heard people say, 'I don't know what I'd do without this program.' "

The tax preparation work can be used toward pro bono certification from the IUPUI-based law school and helps students prepare for required pro bono work in their professional careers. But Duncan said most of the students involved in the project take part simply because they have a genuine interest in tax law and want to help those in need.

VITA is supported by the IU School of Law-Indianapolis law student division of the American Bar Association.