“In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,” said Benjamin Franklin. And while many people are afraid of death, almost every American is afraid of the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Through the Long Beach Financial Assistance Center (LBFAC), Economics teacher and site coordinator Dan Adler, along with his students, seek to help vanquish the fear of the IRS in the hearts of Poly and the surrounding community. The LBFAC is a newly formed 501(c)3, or non-profit charity, that features VITA, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Explained senior Danielle Gallandt, “VITA is a program in which Poly students become volunteer tax preparers so they can prepare taxes at no cost to the client. We help individuals and families with low to average incomes who shouldn’t have to pay to get their taxes done.” VITA is a national program sanctioned by the IRS, and volunteers have to become certified to able to prepare taxes. “They come in and take a few lessons with me,” explained Adler about the certification process. “Then I have them do a few paper returns because I think you learn a lot from doing returns that aren’t on the computer. Then they do a series of practice returns on an IRSsponsored website, and then they have to take a test on an
IRS-sponsored website.” After becoming certified, these students then shadow an experienced preparer and then do a few returns with another preparer watching before doing a return independently, and even then, every return is reviewed by an advanced level preparer or site coordinator. Because VITA is a free tax service, as compared to paid services like H&R Block, its clients are often deeply thankful for its services. “I remember doing a lady’s taxes whose twins sons had just died,” said senior Leonel Tiscareño, a certified preparer in both Spanish and English. “She took on $7,000 in funeral expenses and was extremely appreciative we were doing her taxes for free over a paid site.” Stories like these are not uncommon, and VITA students often are preparing taxes for immigrant families or are preparing upwards of five prior years of taxes for someone who has fallen behind and is faced with serious consequences from the IRS. VITA is not only beneficial for its clients, but the student volunteers also gain from doing taxes. Said junior Kendra Viloria, “I started VITA as a sophomore and the most rewarding part for me was getting to know people and talk about their lives.” Most all preparers agree how incredible it is to be able to actually understand the American tax code.