Students file taxes for free

Accounting majors volunteer services through April 15

Kathryn Gariano / staff photographer Senior Scott Sprouse, left, works with Harrisonburg resident Claudia Cervantes to file her taxes.

For the second year in a row, JMU students are helping the Rockingham County community file taxes free of charge. The group of 15 students and seven members of the community volunteer Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon through April 15.

Ron Cereola, an accounting instructor who also volunteers, estimates at least 500 people will come this year seeking aid.

"The beginning and the end of tax season are the busiest times [for the volunteers]," Cereola said. "We're expecting a pretty big rush at the end if we're lucky."

The volunteers all are trained and required to take a test before providing their services. They are part of the IRS-AARP organization, Tax-Aide, designed to help people in filing their taxes correctly.

On average, people save $135 by seeking help through this organization over tax-filing organizations, according to Cereola. Last year, about $50,000 worth of value was put back into the community with the 400 people who sought aid.

Any JMU student, senior citizen, disabled person or low-income to middle-income person can go to the Blessed Sacrament Church on North Main Street to get their taxes filed for free. The volunteers offer to send tax information electronically for a faster cash return, or it can be done through the mail.

Last year, the volunteers aided 400 people. So far this year, they've serviced 250 students and members of the community.

The center held at the church services more members of Rockingham County than all the tax centers in the area combined, according to Cereola. It is one of more than 10,000 AARP tax centers throughout the nation, contributing to the more than 27 million people served annually.

Odile Proctor is a local volunteer of the Harrisonburg area. She's been volunteering for eight years, and is a licensed U.S. Certified Public Accountant.

"Sometimes it's difficult to help them (those seeking tax filing assistance who do not speak English) with the language barriers," Proctor said. "Since there are a fair number of Hispanics and Russians who seek aid, kids often translate for their parents.

"Sometimes we experience some language issues when trying to explain their taxes to them," she added.

The student volunteers earn three credits as part of an independent study.

"Initially, I was doing it for credit hours, but it's been a really good experience," junior Brian Millard said. "I learned a lot interacting with the community, and I really enjoy seeing people happy when they get money back."

According to Cereola, because accounting majors are required to have 150 credit hours to take the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination, this is a good way for them to gain credits and experience.

"I've learned a lot more about the format by volunteering than I would have out of a book," senior Angela Moniodis said. It's one thing to read about how to file taxes, and it's another to actually interact with people and file them."

By gaining practical experience, working with the public and learning the content and theory of accounting, the students are better trained for their careers, said Cereola.

"It's a humbling and rewarding experience, learning and helping at the same time," Moniodis said.