BHSU accounting majors assist community members with tax preparation

Two men sitting at a desk and filling out paperwork

The Black Hills State University Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Clinic opened earlier this month and continue until Saturday, April 4. Accounting students are certified by the IRS to provide tax return assistance to community members through the clinic.

Each spring, Black Hills State University hosts the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Clinic for individuals needing assistance with their tax returns. BHSU offers an Advanced Income Tax course which allows students to become certified by the IRS to work as tax preparers in the clinic. The clinic opened earlier this month and continues until Saturday, April 4.

According to instructor Christopher Wardell, participating is a great opportunity for BHSU students. “Working in the clinic allows our students to obtain real-world experience preparing actual tax returns using tax software. This experience provides a baseline for the more complicated tax returns they may prepare after graduation while working in an accounting position,” Wardell shares.

“Working in the clinic also allows our students to demonstrate and develop client-interaction and problem solving skills that will be invaluable in any job they may hold in the future.”

VITA is available for persons who make $56,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance with their tax returns. All clinics are held in Jonas Hall room 205. On weekdays, the clinic is from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday clinics are from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. No appointment needed, walk-ins only.

  • Wednesday, Feb. 19

  • Tuesday, March 3

  • Saturday, March 21

  • Thursday, Feb. 20

  • Wednesday, March 4

  • Saturday, March 28

  • Saturday, Feb. 29

  • Thursday, March 5

  • Saturday, April 4

For more information contact Wardell at 605-642-6002 or christopher.wardell@BHSU.edu.

About the School of Business at Black Hills State University

BHSU is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), representing the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Less than 5 percent of the 13,000 business programs worldwide have earned AACSB accreditation. BHSU was recently ranked ninth in the nation on a list of 50 of the best online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree programs for 2018 by Best Value Schools. BHSU was the only South Dakota school included in the ranking.

BHSU is a premier, student-centered college, where students can fulfill their potential in an exceptional business environment. We offer associate, bachelor's (with seven specializations) and master's degree business programs on our campus in Spearfish and Rapid City. Classes are also available online.

Through innovative instruction, mentoring, research, internships, and service, BHSU develops business graduates who can compete effectively in a dynamic global environment. For more information on the School of Business at BHSU, visit http://www.BHSU.edu/Academics/Business.