Rider accounting students are able to learn first hand by reaching out to the community and helping those who cannot afford professional tax assistance.  Every winter for more than 20 years, students who have successfully completed an upper-level taxation course and two training classes participate in the Internal Revenue Services' Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.  Individuals who receive help are asked to bring their pertinent tax documents (for example: W-2 forms, interest statements, copies of the previous year's tax return, and any IRS tax items that they received in the mail).  From this information, student complete the current tax return.

"We look forward to preparing tax returns again this year for senior citizens and lower income citizens," said Dr. Larry Prober, associate professor of accounting and Rider's VITA coordinator.  "This is a win-win situation.  Our students provide meaningful tax help to people who need assistance and, in turn, they experience professional growth while performing a valuable community service."