Academy of Finance students save taxpayers more than $42K in tax preparation fees

Students in Monticello High School Academy of Finance’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program have wrapped up another successful tax season. This year, student volunteers have prepared 172  tax returns for community members, saving these taxpayers more than $42K in tax preparation fees.

a student is helping a female community member. They are seated at a desk and the student is pointing at a computer.

The VITA program, now in its 16th year at Monticello, enables students to gain useful, real-life experience while giving back to their community. The service is free for taxpayers below a certain income threshold (the limit changes from year to year; this year it was $58k). Students become IRS-certified prior to volunteering for the program.

three students are huddled around a computer