Sitting among a tower of computers and electronics, Associate Professor of Business Administration Harold Branstrator, works tirelessly to connect computers to a network printer. While Branstrator’s background is in business, he is pulling double duty as an IT staff member in order to get all the necessary equipment organized in time for Milligan’s annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).
VITA is a program that offers free tax preparation to qualifying low income taxpayers in the greater Johnson City area, including those associated with Milligan College and members of the Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union. The program is composed of all volunteers with Branstrator serving as the leader of the program.
“(The students) get to practice servant leadership,” Branstrator said. “They are learning a skill that has financial value and [the students are] paying for the privilege to do something that should receive compensation.”
Established in 2007 and receiving applicants for tax assistance in 2008, Milligan’s VITA program started with one volunteer performing 35 returns. Six years later, in 2015, 35 Milligan VITA volunteers performed 1,111 returns, doing work that would receive an estimated $40,000 in compensation and totaling an estimated $1.3 million in tax returns. Since the initial year, Milligan’s VITA has completed an average of 456 tax returns per year.
“We are able to help the community by offering free service so they can fully enjoy their money,” said Sherry Loera, a senior third-year volunteer. “I think some companies that do taxes take advantage of taxpayers.”
The reason for Milligan’s VITA program is relatively simple according to Branstrator.
“There is a need for these services,” he said. “We are doing something for the local community and bringing in $1.3 million in returns that stimulate the economy and building relationships with entities like Grandview Christian Church, Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union and others.”
While other local colleges, such as East Tennessee State University, offer a similar program, Milligan’s program is on a much larger scale. While ETSU only holds four sessions a year, Milligan will be holding nine Monday and 10 Thursday sessions until tax day in April, with special Saturday sessions taking place as well.
The average tax preparation, according to CNN Money, costs around $400. Since VITA is completely free to those it serves, the program relies heavily on volunteers to assist in tax preparation.
“Our numbers are down this year with only 19 student volunteers and five adults,” said Branstrator. “We can use as many volunteers as we can for next year. We’ll see what happens for this year.”
Next year, Branstrator hopes to include volunteers to greet those who come for preparation as well as provide daycare for clients who are being assisted with their preparation.
While it may be too late to volunteer this semester, Branstrator would like to remind students that VITA is a class for anyone to take.
“We have one, two and three credit hour courses, which just determines how many nights a week you serve. Any major is capable of being a part of the program since everyone is trained and tested prior to beginning to assist in tax preparation,” said Branstrator.
“It’s a very fun experience,” Loera said. “We build great relationships among students and the professor and it’s good to know the procedures because taxes are a big deal.”
While tax preparation is only beginning, one student was particularly eager for it to start.
“I’m really looking forward to getting insight into my career path,” said junior business and accounting major Kimberly Robinson. “I’m glad to be building experience and being able to be a part of an outreach.”
Milligan’s VITA program began Feb. 4 on Milligan’s campus and continues into April. Monday sessions will be held at Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union from 5 to 9 p.m. and Thursday sessions will be held on Milligan’s campus. Three Saturday events will be held with locations to be determined. For more information on the program, visit milligan.edu/vita.