WORCESTER, MA – April 2, 2025 – Quinsigamond Community College is participating in the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the current tax season. Individuals who make $67,000 or less per year can receive free tax preparation services from VITA volunteers, who have been certified by the IRS.
“It’s a great experience for the students and builds a sense of community,” said Associate Professor of Accounting Eduardo Rivas, who coordinates QCC’s involvement with VITA, explaining that volunteers get to work with people from a wide variety of ages, abilities and cultures.
Students from any discipline can join the VITA program, but many are in the Business Administration and Accounting programs.
QCC student Joshua Roman has worked in finance for years at his family’s business, but with the owner’s retirement approaching, he wanted to show his clients that he can offer the most current knowledge and experience through his credentials. In addition to bolstering his career, he has enjoyed the volunteer aspect of VITA.
“It’s really rewarding. We were able to help an elderly couple acquire a specific credit, which got them a bit more of a refund than they were expecting,” Roman recalled. “To them, it felt lifechanging.”
Many students participating in the VITA program also commented on the soft skills they have gained from hands-on experience with actual clients. More than just telling clients how much they will receive or owe, volunteers educate them on how the process works and ways to improve their tax situations for the future.
Wanda Morales had never volunteered before but has been excited to help people with their tax preparation. She said she improved her communication skills through the interactions she's had in the program.
"Sometimes it’s a difficult situation so you need patience to explain to people why they owe because they don’t have enough withholdings," Wanda commented.
According to Arielle Bento, who wants to pursue a career in accounting, she's learning about confidentiality and real-world financial situations.
"Taking calls for the program has really helped me build my confidence," Bento commented.
Bento was recently selected for the Local Finance Commonwealth Fellowship, a paid internship program that will focus on municipal finance practices.
Melvin Minaya noted that the hands-on experience in the program is not only helping his self-assurance, but also building trust in the Spanish speakers who he assists with translation.
"I'm getting all this experience at a young age. I know how to treat people, what the questions are going to be and how I’m going to answer. I have the confidence to do it and the mentality to focus," Minaya said.
QCC’s VITA program operates out of the Main South CDC in Worcester, but also offers tax preparation services remotely for qualifying participants. The VITA program runs through April 11, 2025.
To make an appointment with the VITA program visit getyourrefund.org/mscdc, call 508-752-6181 or email vita@qcc.mass.edu. More information is available at QCC.edu/vita.