UK Law Students Offer Free Tax Assistance

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 22, 2012) — The University of Kentucky Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has begun preparing tax returns and will continue through Tuesday, April 17. 

About 20 students from the UK College of Law and the UK Gatton College of Business and Economics will volunteer for the program this year.

Law Professor Doug Michael became involved in the program as a law student and has been leading UK’s VITA program for nearly 20 years. Each year, the program helps hundreds of individuals and families with tax questions. 

"People are always very grateful," Michael said. "And that's how we get paid, by seeing their gratitude."

The free program often marks the first time law students step out of the classroom and into a situation where their knowledge can make a difference in the life of someone who comes to them for help.

"The process seems easy to law students, but when they see it through the eyes of someone who does not have the same skills or experience in preparing a return, the students see a taxpayer's desperation and realize what an impact they have made when that individual walks away with a substantial refund coming to them," Michael said.

The students must complete 12 to 18 hours of federal income tax courses and must pass two tax-certification tests from the Internal Revenue Service. They receive no course credit for their work.

The VITA program runs through Tuesday, April 17 (except Spring Break week, March 12-17) in Room 47 of the UK College of Law. Volunteers will be available by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, visit the UK VITA website.