KU Law students offer free tax preparation
LAWRENCE — Tax season is underway, and University of Kansas School of Law students will once again assist eligible community members with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
This spring, KU Law students can prepare returns for taxpayers who make less than $67,000 per household per year and do not itemize their deductions. The VITA sessions began Feb. 17 and will end April 14. No sessions will take place March 17-23, during KU’s spring break.
Sessions are 6-8:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and 9-11:45 a.m. Saturdays at Green Hall, 1535 W. 15th St. A satellite location is offered 5-7 p.m. Thursdays at Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority, 1600 Haskell Ave.
This year’s clinic is coordinated by third-year law student Gabby Phillips. Phillips has been involved in the program since her first year at KU Law. She found the VITA Program to be a great way to merge her legal skills and philanthropic passion.
“Each year, the VITA program provides free tax preparation services for qualifying people in our community,” Phillips said. “Generally, it can cost $200 to $400 (or more) to file taxes. The VITA program alleviates a financial burden and provides quality tax preparation and e-filing services. Many KU and Lawrence community members have used the VITA program for years. It is great to hear about the positive experiences people have had with our tax clinic over the years.”
Last year, the VITA clinic filed 118 returns totaling roughly $124,000. KU Law had 29 VITA sessions where 32 students dedicated more than 750 volunteer hours.
“Our goals are to provide qualifying members in our community with high-quality tax preparation services, to be a reliable tax preparation resource for our community members each year and to connect KU Law students with more people in our community,” she said.
The law school’s VITA program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and the number of preparers varies by site. Those seeking assistance are encouraged to arrive near the start of each session.
Taxpayers should bring proof of identification and all relevant documentation, including proof of income and expenditures.
For more information, contact the VITA program at 785-864-9227 or by email.
Legal Services for Students (LSS) also offers free tax filing assistance through a VITA grant from the Internal Revenue Service. U.S. resident taxpayers who earned less than $84,000 in 2024 can prepare and file their returns electronically for free with software provided by LSS. International students, faculty and staff at KU filing as nonresident aliens can file their taxes for free with LSS assistance with no income limit. LSS also offers in-person tax filing assistance workshops during the spring filing season. For more information about tax programs provided by LSS, visit the LSS website or contact them by email.
"We understand taxes can be confusing. That's why we're committed to making the process clear and straightforward,” said Jo Hardesty, director of Legal Services for Students. “At Legal Services for Students, our goal is to not only help you file but to equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need to tackle your taxes with ease, year after year."
The last day to submit a federal income tax return for the 2024 tax year is April 15.