Ohio State Students Help 270 People Claim $500K in Refunds

Imagine discovering you're owed thousands of dollars you didn't know about, or learning how to avoid a devastating tax bill next year. That's exactly what happened to hundreds of central Ohio residents thanks to student volunteers this tax season.

Accounting majors at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business helped more than 270 people file their taxes for free through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. The students secured over $500,000 in refunds for low-income taxpayers in the Columbus area.

The victories went beyond just numbers. Nikola Rnjak, an undergraduate volunteer, caught a major error on a woman's lawsuit settlement income. The company had misclassified the type of income, which would have cost her thousands in taxes she didn't actually owe.

"It was good to catch that error because she would have been taxed on that income, and she's not supposed to be," Rnjak said.

Other students had tougher conversations. Elizabeth Lombardi worked with a food delivery driver in her 20s who had no idea her employer wasn't withholding taxes. The young woman faced an unexpected tax bill that clearly hurt.

Lombardi didn't just deliver bad news. She sat down with the driver and walked through how to withhold taxes on her own next year, turning a painful surprise into a learning moment that could save her from future stress.

Graduate student Glenn Mills helped people who had been working for 10 or 20 years but had never filed a tax return. These volunteers helped file multiple years of back taxes, meeting with clients over several days to gather all the needed information.

The Ripple Effect

The program creates waves of positive impact far beyond tax day. Students gain real-world experience having difficult conversations and explaining complex topics in simple terms. Caden Carriger, an undergraduate volunteer, learned to strip down complicated tax concepts to bare essentials people actually need to understand.

Meanwhile, clients save money they desperately need. Matthew Morsfield, a graduate student who used the service himself, said having knowledgeable peers handle his taxes felt more secure than doing it alone. He no longer worries whether he's answering questions correctly.

The VITA program is part of the IRS national network and the Columbus Tax Time coalition, connecting government agencies, businesses, and nonprofits to serve the community together.

Director Marissa Nelson says the program helps students develop an appreciation for client service while giving back to their neighbors. It's a simple equation: students learn by doing good, and struggling families keep more of their hard-earned money.