Boise State Students Offer Free Tax Help to Families

Tax season doesn't have to empty your wallet before the IRS even gets involved.

At Boise State University, accounting students are helping families file their taxes completely free through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. The service puts trained student volunteers face to face with taxpayers who can't afford professional preparation fees or expensive software.

VITA operates through the College of Business and Economics Department of Accountancy. Students gain hands-on experience while community members save hundreds of dollars they'd typically spend on tax prep.

"Our accounting students get incredible experience," said Kathy Hurley, the program's site coordinator and accountancy lecturer. "They see how diverse every single person's tax return is."

For students like Yesica Venegas, a Boise State senior, the work hits close to home. She volunteers specifically to help Spanish-speaking clients navigate the tax system in their native language.

"I get to explain it to them in the simplest possible way," Venegas said. "It reminds me of my own parents because I was their own translator."

The Ripple Effect

The program creates a double win that extends far beyond tax season. Students graduate with practical skills employers value, while families keep more money in their pockets during an already expensive time of year.

For immigrant families especially, having bilingual volunteers removes a major barrier to accessing essential services. Parents who once relied on their children for translation can now get professional help in their own language.

The experience also teaches future accountants something textbooks can't: how to work with real people facing real financial challenges. Every return tells a different story, preparing these students for the diverse clients they'll serve throughout their careers.

Site coordinator Hurley even uses her "tax wagon" to transport materials to different VITA meeting locations, showing the program's commitment to reaching people where they are.

As tax deadline approaches, hundreds of families will file confidently knowing they had expert help without the expert price tag.