American University Washington College of Law Students Participate in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Program Assists Qualifying Taxpayers with Preparing Income Tax Returns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C., March 4, 2013 - American University Washington College of Law is again participating in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free assistance to qualifying taxpayers in preparing their income tax returns.

More than two-dozen students are volunteering their time in conjunction with D.C. Earned Income Tax Credit (DCEITC) and Capital Area Asset Builders to provide this assistance to the Washington, D.C. metro area.

“The VITA program is a wonderful opportunity for students to both learn and apply practical material, while at the same time giving back to the community and making a real difference in people’s lives,” said Brandon Román, VITA volunteer at the SECCC tax site in southeast Washington. Román, a third-year law student and student attorney in the Janet R. Spragens Federal Tax Clinic, is participating in the program for the second year in a row.

The VITA program is available to low-to-middle-income taxpayers, generally defined as those individuals earning less than $35,000 ($51,000 for families) in 2012, and provides assistance with both federal and state returns. Students participating in the VITA program are certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after they complete various tax preparation trainings, including several trainings offered at American University Washington College of Law. Upon receiving their certification, students then volunteer at different VITA tax sites throughout the area.

“The VITA program provides a sorely needed service for low income taxpayers and an extraordinary learning and giving opportunity for volunteer preparers,” said Nancy Abramowitz, director of the Janet R. Spragens Federal Tax Clinic. “We are proud that so many American University Washington College of Law students participate in the program each year, and we are especially proud of the pro bono participation by virtually all students who have been in our Spragens Tax Clinic.”

To find a VITA location in the Washington, D.C. metro area, or to learn more about how to get involved with the VITA program, please visit: http://dceitc.org.

Media inquiries can be directed to Megan Smith, public relations coordinator, American University Washington College of Law, 202-274-4276.

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In 1896, American University Washington College of Law became the first law school in the country founded by women. More than 100 years since its founding, this law school community is grounded in the values of equality, diversity, and intellectual rigor. The law school's nationally and internationally recognized programs (in clinical legal education, trial advocacy, international law, and intellectual property to name a few) and dedicated faculty provide its 1700 JD, LL.M., and SJD students with the critical skills and values to have an immediate impact as students and as graduates, in Washington, DC and around the world. For more information, visit wcl.american.edu.