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山ּ students to offer free tax preparation

山ּstudents training to provide free tax prep in a classroom
山ּstudents in training to provide free tax preparation services to the community

山ּ will offer free tax preparation services from mid-February through early April at the 山ּClinical Centers located at 5911 York Road in Belvedere Square. IRS-certified student volunteers from 山ּwill prepare and e-file tax returns at no cost to qualifying taxpayers in the Baltimore community.

This is the fourth year 山ּwill host a site offering free tax preparation services. The services are made possible through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA) program in partnership with the nonprofit Creating Assets, Savings and Hope (CASH) Campaign of Maryland. 山ּhas participated in the program for many years, but in the past, students volunteered at other sites.

“Loyola’s presence in the York Road corridor continues to be amplified with our VITA program,” said JP Krahel, Ph.D., chair of the department of accounting at the Sellinger School of Business. “Every year, hundreds of thousands of dollars are returned to the community, connections are made, and the neighborhood becomes stronger. I couldn’t be prouder of our students’ work through the 山ּVITA clinic.”

In prior years, 山ּstudents have prepared between 200 and 300 tax returns and facilitated hundreds of thousands of dollars in refunds to members of the community.

Loyola’s tax preparation site is managed by Michael Bender, CPA, executive in residence in the department of accounting at the Sellinger School, and Emma Gaffney and Tarah Sipos, both enrolled in Loyola’s Master of Accounting graduate program. Together, they will supervise more than 30 student volunteers, who will spend an estimated 565 total hours at the site.

“The University and the Sellinger School view the VITA program as a critical service to the community and an exceptional learning opportunity for 山ּstudents. It’s a great example of a service-learning opportunity for our students,” Bender said.

The free tax preparation services are available to people who make $58,000 or less, people with disabilities and people with limited English-language skills who need assistance preparing their tax returns. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 410-234-8008 or visit .