Click above to play the video. Pictured from left to right: Chris Moon and Andie Quirke.
A business student who is on the Iowa State University swim team was among those who helped this year
Taxes. That word alone sends many people into stress mode.
Thankfully, members of the Ames and surrounding communities had some superheroes at their disposal — students at Iowa State University.
Andie Quirke, a graduate student at the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business and a member of the Iowa State swim team, was one of 60 students who helped members of the community fill out their taxes.
She did this as part of an annual service offered at Iowa State, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offered through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The program seeks to assist those with limited means, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and taxpayers who are new to the United States and need assistance. The student volunteers are IRS-certified volunteers who provide free, basic income tax return preparation, including electronic filing.
“Joining VITA seemed like a rewarding opportunity to make a positive impact in the community while developing valuable skills and connections,” Quirke said. “I was motivated by a genuine desire to help others, providing free tax assistance to those who may not have the means to pay for professional services. I also have an interest in tax law and financial matters. VITA provides a platform to apply my knowledge and skills in a meaningful way. Additionally, participation in VITA fosters community engagement and networking opportunities. I had also heard from many students before me that it was the best class they had taken at Iowa State, and I agree.”
Overall, it was a fulfilling experience for Quirke.
“Most clients that come in are stressed and confused,” she said. “It is nice to be able to help people. A standout moment was when I was doing taxes in Boone one day, and I helped multiple clients with disabilities. They were so relieved and grateful for our services. It honestly made my entire VITA experience. It felt so rewarding to give back.”
Getting real-world experience before graduating from college is an asset that helps students launch their careers. Working with VITA helped Quirke in many ways, including building confidence with her first client interactions, making connections between applications in the classroom and real life, and learning problem-solving abilities. It also helped her with community engagement.
“I am in the master of accounting program with a tax specialization. I am beginning to take my CPA exams this summer and plan on going into a career in corporate tax, so this experience has been extremely beneficial for me,” said Quirke, who worked at 12 sessions, helping three to four clients in each session.
“VITA is a great resource to use if you’re confused about taxes. The students are super friendly and willing to help you!”
— Andie Quirke, master of accounting student
Training is provided
The IRS requires each student to successfully complete training before they can help clients.
“It took about a month,” Quirke said. “We had to study and pass four exams and take an ethics test to be qualified. Once we were qualified, we started with two clients a night and then built up to three to four.”
Students who participate in this clinic are required to be certified in preparing foreign student returns, which are much more complicated than a normal resident 1040 return. The exams are detailed and difficult. Students only have two chances to pass the exam, and they must score at least 80 percent in order to pass.
Growth of the program
Chris Moon, associate teaching professor of accounting and coordinator of the program, said the program has grown significantly over the past five years.
“When I started overseeing the VITA program in 2020, we were preparing an average of about 250 to 300 returns per tax year,” Moon said. “Over the last five years, we have been increasing the number of students involved, the number of nights we operate, and the number of sites. In the spring of 2024, our program transmitted over 1,600 tax returns.”
The VITA clinic was offered at the Gerdin Business Building on the Iowa State campus. In an effort to reach more people in surrounding communities, there were several additional sites offered this year, including:
- Ames Public Library.
- Story City Library.
- Nevada Public Library.
- Des Moines Area Community College – Boone campus.
“VITA provides our students with real-life experience,” Moon said. “They work one-on-one with their own clients, preparing tax returns while the taxpayer is at the clinic. VITA provides a valuable service to our community. Our students are gaining confidence and employability skills while helping Iowa State and Ames community members. It is a win-win.”
A satisfied customer
Client Kunal Das, who attended a clinic in the Gerdin Business Building, shared this message:
“I wanted to take a moment to extend my sincerest thanks for the outstanding service you provided in preparing and finalizing my tax return yesterday.
Your expertise, attention to detail, and dedication were evident throughout the process. I was particularly impressed with how efficiently and thoroughly you handled each aspect of my return, ensuring accuracy and maximizing my benefits. Your patience in answering my questions and your guidance in navigating the complexities of tax regulations were invaluable.
Thanks to your efforts, what is often a stressful task was transformed into a smooth and reassuring experience. I am truly grateful for your professionalism and the personalized care you extended towards my financial well-being.”
May 13, 2024
