EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Beta Alpha Psi, Eastern Michigan University’s honorary accounting society, and the EMU Accounting Club will once be making Tax Day a little easier this year for many low-income residents in the Ypsilanti community.

Over the next six weeks, EMU accounting students from the College of Business are offering free income tax preparation help through the VITA (voluntary income tax assistance) program.

The service has been offered annually by EMU students, and is among a wide variety of community activities undertaken by the Eastern Michigan University chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, a national accounting honors organization. The chapter has been recognized internationally as a superior chapter for the past 20 years.

Sessions to occur on Saturdays through April 4

The service is available to students and members of the community with a demonstrated annual income of $56,000 or less. The sessions will occur on Saturdays through April 4 on the first floor of the EMU College of Business, located at 300 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti.

The remaining schedule is as follows

• Saturday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Saturday, March 7, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is a joint event, “Show Me the Money Day,” with United Way of Washtenaw. There will be financial education workshops, resources, child care, prizes and fun.

• Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Saturday, April 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Those interested in getting tax preparation help can book appointments through the United Way tax help website. People will be instructed via the website sign up as far as what to bring. That typically includes Social Security cards and picture ID for all family members, W-2 and 1099 forms as well as any other documentation of income earned during the year, proof of rent or mortgage property tax payments, any Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Income, heating bills if applicable, and any other tax related letters or documents. 

Helping low-income taxpayers; sparking interest in community service

“Our VITA program is an excellent reflection of the values the Accounting Club and Beta Alpha Psi members hold in performing community service,” said Robert Lett, who along with fellow student Jacob Dembinski helps organize the VITA EMU program.

“We enrich the community by returning wealth to low-income taxpayers at no cost to them. We also cultivate interest in community service and in the accounting field when we train our tax preparers and they build confidence in the tax system. We are proud of the opportunity that we get each tax season to work with United Way of Washtenaw County though the VITA program.”

About Beta Alpha Psi

Beta Alpha Psi is a not-for-profit international honorary and service organization for accounting and a service organization for accounting, finance and information systems students. It furthers the development of technical and professional skills to complement university education and participation in community service. The organization also facilitates networking among students, faculty and professionals.

About the Accounting Club

The Accounting Club has been established at EMU for more than three years, and is an EMU sister organization to Beta Alpha Psi. Membership for the club is open to all students interested in business. Students will expand their professional network, learn about important resources, develop career skills, and participate in the community.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.