LEXINGTON, Ky. — Transylvania University has been holding its annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program throughout February.

What You Need To Know

  •  Transylvania University has had a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program every Monday during February

  •  This is a program that gives accounting students real-world experience while helping community members to file their taxes for free

  • The university has been offering the program since 1980

Every Monday in February, McLain Murphy, along with her accounting classmates, have been taking part in the program.

It’s part of a half credit class where students get to help community members file their taxes at no cost. This is a service that’s available to people who make $62,000 or less a year.

“For the students, it’s extremely beneficial to get this real-world experience,” said Christi Hayne, an assistant professor of accounting who has been overseeing the class. “I really like it because I can give them all kinds of situations on an exam but they’re ready and prepared for those, so this is real-life things being thrown at you that you’re not used to and have to kind of figure out all those curve balls.”

Murphy, was happy to get the opportunity to learn more about what she’ll be doing in the future while also helping those in her community who need it.

“Tax services can be quite expensive so it’s nice to be able to give back and help those people that want to get their taxes done and have to get their taxes done, but just can’t afford it,” said Murphy.

The university has been conducting this program since 1980.

The accounting students will be helping people file their taxes one more time on Monday, Feb. 26.

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