January 15, 2009

• Taxes prepared on three dates

• Student volunteers available for interviews

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Some 50 student members of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) from the UAB School of Business Department of Accounting and Information Systems will offer free tax preparation services to qualifying members of the greater Birmingham community on Jan. 24, Feb. 7 and Mar. 21, ahead of the Apr. 15 national tax filing deadline.

The UAB volunteer team will ready tax forms at six separate stations inside the university's Business and Engineering Complex at 1150 10th Ave. S., in the Business Wing, room 320. Interested parties are now asked to call 205-458-8970 to schedule an appointment time for one of the scheduled dates between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The UAB effort is part of the larger Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that is sponsored locally by the United Way of Central Alabama and partners tax preparation volunteers with low income tax filers who make less than $42,000 annually. It comes as the country is slipping deeper into economic distress and when an accurate tax return could prove crucial for tax payers seeking refunds. But given the economic circumstances, many low income families do not have the money to pay for professional level tax-filing services. So students at UAB are stepping up to fill the void.

"Everyone deserves to have an accurate tax return filed on their behalf, and our students take a lot of pride in providing this valuable service to the Birmingham community," said NABA student adviser and UAB accounting instructor Beth Springer.

Last year's UAB tax preparation services helped more than three dozen tax payers, and the United Way's VITA program secured more than $2.8 million in tax refunds for greater Birmingham residents. UAB's student volunteers work in teams of two or three to ensure accuracy and are trained to secure the individual earned income tax credit for those that meet federal requirements. The tax credit provides refund money to qualified low-income earners even if they do not pay income taxes throughout the year.

"We are expecting a larger turnout with more people unable to pay a service fee for their tax preparation, given the economy," said student volunteer Clay Simpson. "Our UAB community is ready to meet the demand though, because we have put together a group of volunteers larger than last year's to help low income families with their taxes.

"It makes you feel good and is very rewarding to help families in need," Simpson said.