SUNY Oneonta accounting and business students are gaining valuable real-world experience by participating in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, where they are offering free tax preparation services to the community.

Under the supervision of Assistant Professor of Accounting Charlene Foley-Deno, 20 students have undergone extensive training and are now available to assist area residents in preparing and filing their tax returns at no cost.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, a tradition that dates back to the initiative of former professor William “Jeff” Weinell, is currently held at Alumni Hall on the SUNY Oneonta campus. This year, the program is accommodated in the newly renovated Alumni Hall, a cutting-edge hub for learning and innovation that reopened in the fall.

Appointments with SUNY Oneonta's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance team are available on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. To schedule an appointment, community members can contact the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance team via email at vita@oneonta.edu or by calling (607) 436-2171.

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After the tax returns are prepared by the students, they undergo a thorough review process by student coordinators and Assistant Professor Charlene Foley-Deno before clients return for an exit interview the following week. During the exit interview, the team assigned to the client provides a detailed review of the return, ensuring accuracy and completeness in the tax filing process.

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