GREENEVILLE – Community members who need free assistance completing their income tax returns can once again rely on Tusculum University for friendly and professional service.
Tusculum students prepare a return at Westminster Presbyterian Church in 2023.
Led by the university’s College of Business, Tusculum will begin offering tax return preparation services Feb. 5 and continue through April 11. Students and community volunteers, under the direction of Dr. Harold Branstrator, associate professor of management, will be available:
- Mondays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2343 Knob Creek Road, Johnson City
- Thursdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Meen Center Rooms 001 and 005 on Tusculum’s campus in Greeneville
- Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Washington County Library, 200 E. Sabine Drive, Jonesborough
This will be the eighth consecutive year Tusculum has participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Tusculum typically completes 700-800 returns each year.
“We thoroughly enjoy helping community members navigate the complexities of the tax return process and attain as favorable an outcome as possible,” said Dr. Branstrator, a former Internal Revenue Service revenue agent and current IRS enrolled agent. “Our preparers receive extensive training and are up to date on the latest provisions of the tax laws and look forward to supporting community members with their returns.”
Those who qualify for free tax return preparation services include:
- People who generally earn $70,000 or less a year
- Anyone older than 65
- People with disabilities
- Limited-English-speaking taxpayers
Appointments are scheduled in 45-minute increments, but more time is available for clients who need the additional time. Tusculum can accommodate as many as 12 clients for each time slot at Westminster and the Meen Center and six clients for each time period at the library. Walk-ins are welcome, but they might need to wait awhile for an opening.
Clients should bring their W-2 and 1099 forms, dividend and interest statements, tax documents related to their small business or rental property and any other items required for a complete filing.
Community members receive income tax return preparation services at the Meen Center on campus in 2023.
New this year is the opportunity for clients to come to one of the three locations and complete their return on their own at no charge on a laptop provided by Tusculum.
In addition to benefiting the community, the VITA program provides excellent active and experiential learning for students. Participating in this program has proven valuable as a résumé-builder for students, with those earning business degrees landing jobs at impressive firms.
“The VITA program is one of our best initiatives to demonstrate our commitment to civic engagement and preparation of students to be career-ready professionals,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, the university’s president. “We commend Dr. Branstrator for his exceptional leadership with this project and are proud of our students and community volunteers for their tremendous one-on-one work with community members.”
To schedule an appointment for tax return preparation services, please visit https://site.tusculum.edu/vita-registration-form/ or call Dr. Branstrator at 423-636-7414. Clients can also call 423-431-9505 or 423-612-6964, effective Friday, Jan. 12, and student members of the VITA team will be pleased to schedule a time. Students are available at these cell phone numbers from 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Tusculum has 21 students and five community volunteers lined up for the VITA program this year. The university would welcome additional community volunteers. Anyone who is interested can call Dr. Branstrator at 423-636-7414 or email hbranstrator@tusculum.edu. Those who will prepare tax returns must attend training sessions Saturday, Jan. 20; Saturday, Jan. 27; and Saturday, Feb. 3, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Additional information about the program is available at https://web.tusculum.edu/vita/.