Start of VITA program delayed

Every year, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at Monmouth College is a huge resource to the Monmouth community. Annually, Monmouth students from a variety of academic disciplines join together in the program to prepare tax returns free of charge to members of the Monmouth community. Not only does it provide a great addition to one’s resume, but it is also a great way to engage in the Monmouth community, a community that is often less involved with MC than should be.

This year, however, the program is in jeopardy, as coordinator and accounting professor Judy Peterson has been unable to be as involved this year as she has been in the past, limiting the ability of the live tax sessions to be set up. In the meantime, fellow accounting professor Connie Mersch has taken the reigns to keep the program running smoothly. Currently, VITA student volunteers have continued to meet every Monday and Wednesday in Professor Peterson’s absence. With that being said, though, it has been confirmed that the live tax sessions have been temporarily suspended for the first two weeks. This means that, tentatively, instead of starting last Monday, the program is set to begin Monday, February 24. This date is subject to change, however, with the worst-case scenario being that the live tax sessions will be canceled altogether.

Having lived in Monmouth my whole life, I recognize the need for the VITA program in the Monmouth community. The VITA program allows for any taxpayer with income less than $64,000 if single, and $103,000 if married filing jointly to participate. Considering that the median household income for a Monmouth resident is $39,173, the program would allow for a large percentage of the Monmouth community to get their taxes done free and easy right here in town (Niche). While the future of this year’s VITA program is uncertain, students are still prepared to tackle the process if the program is eventually started. Volunteers have taken the necessary IRS examinations to become certified to prepare returns. If the program is ready to go in the near future, students will be ready to go.

Riley Dulin - Sports Editor