Law students offer assistance with free tax preparation

LAWRENCE — As tax season is underway, the University of Kansas School of Law is offering free tax preparation services for those who qualify.

KU Law students with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will prepare returns for taxpayers who are residents of Douglas County, Kansas; make less than $58,000 per household per year; and do not itemize their deductions. VITA sessions began Feb. 21 and run until April 16. Sessions are 6-8:45 p.m. Mondays, 3-5:45 p.m. Wednesdays and 9-11:45 a.m. Saturdays. All sessions take place in the third-floor computer lab inside the Wheat Law Library at Green Hall.

Legal Services for Students (LSS) also offers free tax filing assistance through a VITA grant from the Internal Revenue Service. U.S. resident taxpayers who earned less than $73,000 in 2021 can prepare and file their returns electronically for free with software provided online by LSS. International students, faculty and staff at KU can file their taxes for free with LSS assistance with no income limit. For more information about tax programs provided by LSS, visit the LSS website or email legals@ku.edu.

“We know taxes can be complicated and feel overwhelming,” said Jo Hardesty, director of Legal Services for Students. “Our goal at LSS is to not only to help taxpayers get their returns filed this year but to educate them about the tax system and filing process, so they can feel confident in approaching their tax return next year and every year going forward.”

The law school’s VITA program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and the number of preparers varies with the site. Those seeking assistance are encouraged to arrive near the start of each session. Taxpayers should bring proof of identification and all relevant documentation, including proof of income and expenditures. For more information, call 785-864-9227 or email vita@ku.edu.

“The VITA program is one of several volunteer programs KU Law students organize for the benefit of the Lawrence community,” said Stephen Mazza, dean, professor and VITA program supervisor. “Community members, including KU undergraduate and graduate students, can save hundreds of dollars by having a VITA volunteer prepare their federal and state tax returns.”

KU Law students Tyler Hellenbrand and Andrew Tague are coordinating this year’s VITA program.

"To me, the VITA program is a great way to give back to the community,” Hellenbrand said. “For many, filing taxes can be an expensive and confusing process. The VITA program alleviates those difficulties by providing quality tax assistance at no cost."

Taxes are due April 18.