IRS Honors Aurora University Student Tax Preparers

Students Complete Record 502 Federal Returns Free, Recover $319,000 In Refunds

AURORA, Ill.—Local residents were among 35 Aurora University students honored by the Internal Revenue Service for preparing a record 502 federal income tax forms free for the public during the past tax season.

Student tax preparers recovered $319,679 in refunds for taxpayers, led by a $5,148 rebate to a Yorkville resident.

Rosie Robinson, senior tax specialist from the IRS Chicago office, presented recognition certificates and letters of appreciation to AU students, faculty and staff in a recognition ceremony at Dunham Hall.

Len Scholl, CPA, and assistant professor of accounting, presided at the presentation. Scholl and Tim Moran, CPA, assistant professor of accounting, taught Accounting 3310: Federal Taxation of Individuals, a unique course that culminates with business students preparing tax forms--federal and state--free for the public.

For a sixth year, AU’s Dunham School of Business partnered with the IRS in its annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The outreach is designed to assist low-income, handicapped, elderly and non-English speaking taxpayers.

AU offered the service on six Saturday mornings at Dunham Hall from Feb. 16 to April 5. The income limit was $50,000.

In addition to returns for 2007, students also prepared prior-year returns for 2006, 2005 and 2004.

A record 276 returns were electronically filed by AU tax preparers during 2008 said Moran, supervisor of e-filing.

Since AU instituted the program, student tax preparers have generated more than $1.5 million in refunds for taxpayers.

Before preparing returns for the public, AU students completed 24 hours of classroom training. Instruction included preparing more than 50 sample federal and state returns.

Training continued during the tax season as students prepared tax returns for the public. A half-dozen bilingual students provided translation assistance for Spanish-speaking taxpayers.

Scholl said, "Students learned federal and state income tax theory while they applied it to actual tax-return preparation in a closely supervised environment.

"This hands-on preparation of tax returns strengthens students' resumes, makes them more marketable in the workplace, and provides valuable experience interfacing with the public," Scholl said.

According to the IRS, AU volunteers are among more than 73,000 who annually assist more than 3.5 million persons with federal income taxes.

Faculty, staff and others recognized by the IRS were Scholl, Virginia Scholl, Bolingbrook; Moran and Al Benson, AU media relations director, Aurora; Dave Diehl, Harwood Heights, adjunct professor of accounting; and Ileana Brooks, DeKalb, associate professor of business.

Student tax preparers recognized were:

Addison : Yuri Murillo

Amboy: Emily Leffelman

Aurora : Casandra Horn, Linda Lipsey, Matt Solfisburg, Michelle Soto, Marina Titarchuk, and David Uribe

Chicago : Kimberly Hill

Franklin Grove: Michael Dempsey, Andrea Middleton

Geneva : Greg Dragon

Grayslake: Maria de Jesus

Hanover Park : Jamie Mueller

Harvard: Whitney McManus

Lisle: Bethany Okrie Millbrook: Sean Noggle

Montgomery : Stephanie Oros

Naperville : Ledia Panolli

Oswego : Paul Bishop, Isideo Gonzalez, Kristin Mueller, Sean Noggle, Sharon Swanson

Peru : Ashley Lynch

Plainfield : Cinthia Chavez

Plano : Meaghan Volinine

Rock Falls : Alesha Nance

Sandwich : Scott McGary

Somonauk: Katie McDaniels

Sugar Grove: Kelly Martin

Watseka: Travis Paro

Yorkville: Cassie Mostanche and Trisha Moody

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