Liberty students lead VITA initiative to offer free tax filing to community

With IRS tax deadlines looming, Liberty University School of Law and School of Business students are alleviating the burdens of many Lynchburg locals by offering free tax filing through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Liberty Law started the VITA program at Liberty around 2009, and later it began collaboration with the School of Business to expand and grow the service opportunity to more Liberty students. With this collaboration, students from both schools put the skills they have learned in the classroom into action by volunteering and serving the community by providing free tax-filing services. All sessions are held at Liberty’s Center for Financial Literacy in the School of Business building.

This year, VITA is led by Liberty Law 3L Timothy Kranick, who serves as VITA chair, alongside 3Ls Kate Byrd and Ryan Casey. All three have site coordinator certification from the IRS to hold the clinic and advanced certification to file the full range of tax returns. All VITA volunteers are required to obtain advanced certification.

This is Kranick’s fourth year participating in VITA. Before he enrolled in Liberty Law and became a student leader, he participated as an undergraduate volunteer with the School of Business. Many undergraduate students use VITA as a CSER (community service) opportunity.

A variety of community members use and benefit from Liberty’s service, including the elderly, retirees, individuals with disabilities, low-income families, college students, and Liberty athletes. Kranick said VITA is a valuable resource for residents.

“Depending on the level of taxes, it can be quite an expensive procedure to pay somebody to do. But we’re able to do it for free, and that saves people money,” he said, noting Liberty’s site is one of a few locations in Lynchburg that offer free tax services. “For students who utilize the program, it’s really convenient because we’re here on campus and the students are already here, and they can just come by and have their taxes done.”

Casey added that the service is a ministry opportunity.

“A lot of what we do is help people who may be in some crucial points in their lives,” he said. “There are some people who come in, and they’re in a rough spot, and the last thing they want to be thinking about is taxes. To lift that burden off of them from filing it themselves, plus the financial burden of filing it, is very fulfilling for us because we feel like we are living out our Christian belief in helping the community.”

Casey said many clients return every year and some have emailed them to express how grateful they are for the service.

“This service goes back to God’s commands, and ‘the greatest of these is love,’” Byrd added. “Being able to love on people in this way is pretty special.”

Byrd said the volunteers will often stay later than closing, up to an extra 45 minutes to answer questions from clients and help them feel peace about their taxes, giving guidance on what to consider for the next year.

She added that Liberty Law’s Lawyering Skills Program was a key resource for them in learning how to lead the VITA program. From gaining basic lawyering skills to drafting memos and conducting themselves professionally, the program prepared them to interact with real clients and deliver excellent service.

“That program has helped us in regard to handling difficult situations, anything from difficult clients to very sensitive material and acting professionally,” she said, noting that many faculty were instrumental in guiding her through the complexities of tax law.

Last year, Liberty volunteers completed 170 tax returns. This year, by the beginning of March, they had already helped file over 100 and are hoping to reach over 200 by mid-April.

For business students, the hands-on experience in tax filing is a unique opportunity that reinforces what they’ve learned in classes and allows them to apply concepts to real-life situations.

“It has helped me develop practical skills, strengthen my understanding of tax concepts, and grow in confidence when working directly with clients,” said Cole Heckel, a sophomore double majoring in accounting and data analysis and business administration. “I have also seen how something that can be stressful and confusing for many people, like filing taxes, can become an opportunity to serve others. Being able to help relieve that stress and provide clarity has shown me how God can use our professional skills to care for people. We are able to meet practical needs while demonstrating service-mindedness and responsible stewardship, values that reflect Liberty’s mission of Training Champions for Christ.”

“VITA has been great for practicing using tax software and interacting with clients,” added junior accounting and data analysis student Caleb Polignone. “It has been a joy to get to know the people in Lynchburg and directly serve them.”

The Liberty VITA site will continue to serve the community through mid-April. The service is offered on a first-come, first-served basis; no appointment is necessary. Reservations are encouraged but not required. To make an appointment, email VITA@liberty.edu.

Remaining Dates

3/26, 3/27, 3/31, 4/2, 4/3, 4/7, 4/9, 4/10, 4/14

5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

All sessions are held at the Liberty University School of Business Center for Financial Literacy, School of Business 1600.

What to Bring:

• Proof of identification (photo ID)
• Social Security cards for you, your spouse, and dependents
• Birth dates for you, your spouse, and dependents on the tax return
• Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc) from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Form 1099)
• A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
• Proof of bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit (blank check)
• If applicable, the total paid for daycare provider and daycare provider’s tax identifying number (Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number)
• Forms 1095-A, B and C, Health Coverage Statements
• Copies of income transcripts from IRS and state, if applicable.