Campus Corps Members Gear up for Tax Season with VITA

January 31st marks the beginning of tax season: a time of year that many Americans dread as it entails either an attempt to navigate the confusing process of filing one's own taxes or spending excessive amounts of money to pay someone to complete the task for you. While the accurate completion of one's taxes is indeed a common struggle for many Americans, it is especially difficult for those living in isolated rural communities in which there are minimal services available to provide assistance and where most residents would not be able to afford such services even if they were present.

Having been identified as a pressing community need, the lack of affordable tax assistance available to those living in the more rural areas of the state is now being addressed by a few initiatives that have emerged in recent years to help rectify this problem.  Campus Corps has joined efforts with one such program, having recognized this issue as something to which college students can contribute to by using their specialized skills to make a positive difference.  Specifically, three of our member institutions, MSU-Northern, Stone Child College, and Aaniiih Nakoda College have placed volunteers to serve with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program: a statewide initiative that trains volunteers in the tax process then coordinates efforts to have them provide free tax assistance and preparation services to the members of their local communities.

The six Campus Corps members working with the VITA program have devoted a great deal of time over the past few months attending tax preparation classes and studying for their certification exam, which they are required to pass by January 31st. Through this rigorous training process, VITA ensures that volunteers are well equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to provide adequate tax guidance services to their local community.  SCC member Michael explains that they are encouraged to first practice their newly mastered skills by offering their services to friends who may be in need of tax assistance.  Once it's time to put their skills into action, volunteers are stationed at various locations throughout the state including libraries, community centers, schools, etc. where local residents can schedule appointments with them to receive their services completely free of charge.  Grace Milanowski, Campus Corps leader at MSU-N and VITA volunteer, admits that the class was challenging, but shares that "the thing that I think is great is that I am learning a ton from the experience that will be useful to me personally". She goes on to explain that while it is difficult to see the payoff of her hard work at this point (as they have not yet started providing services) she is" looking forward to the opportunity to finally put my knowledge into action and to help the people in my community". Well said Grace and we are all looking forward to hearing how your experience unfolds!