College of Western Idaho (CWI) hosted its fourth-annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program this spring as CWI students and alumni joined forces to give back to the community. Incredibly, the group helped complete just over 150 tax returns that equated to nearly $40,000 worth of savings, based on average return rate calculated by the Internal Revenue Service. This year also included an opportunity to provide tax assistance to a women’s shelter in Caldwell. The group was led by Online Chair for Business, Education and Exercise and Health Sciences, Joe Welker, and included students from CWI Academic Transfer and Professional Technical Education programs as well as Boise State University.
“Every year the students enjoy a great take away in a couple of aspects,” says Welker. “Not only do they get to apply the knowledge they gained in class, but they also get to provide a professional service for students and community members. It is really great to see them assist so many individuals.”
Thank you to everyone that participated in this great project and thanks to Joe for helping coordinate this valuable learning experience and community resource once again.