Kentucky Wesleyan College students are offering free tax preparation services to qualifying individuals through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
The IRS-sponsored VITA initiative provides free tax preparation to individuals and families with low to moderate incomes, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Through the program, KWC students are IRS-certified and trained to prepare and file federal and state income tax returns at no cost to qualified members of the Owensboro community.
The effort is guided by Michael Wade ’80, a CPA and professor of accountancy at the University of Louisville who retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel.
“The VITA program at Kentucky Wesleyan College offers a valuable hands-on learning experience for our students while delivering an essential service to the community,” Wade said. “Students apply classroom knowledge in real-world situations, develop professional skills, and gain practical experience in tax preparation, client communication, and ethical standards. At the same time, community members receive accurate and reliable tax assistance, often resulting in maximized refunds and avoided preparation fees.”
The program is led by KWC students Jenna Whitsell ’26 and Nick Vincent ’26, who completed the required IRS certification and are coordinating a team of student volunteers.
Whitsell said the effort was revived last year by a fellow student after the program had been discontinued.
“Well, our friend who was a senior last year, Gwenny Gar, started it back up. Wesleyan used to do it — they probably might have still done it when you were here — but with some of the layoffs they had my first year here, it got cut. Gwenny talked to Michael and asked if I wanted to come on and help run it. Then, Nick, a few of our friends, and some of the seniors last year ran about seven or eight sessions.”
After helping run several sessions last year, Whitsell took over the leadership role and asked Vincent to serve as vice president.
“Gwenny handed it over to me, and I made Nick my vice president. I basically told him, ‘Nick, I signed you up for it.’ He said, ‘What? Okay.’”
Participants bring their tax documents — typically W-2 forms and other required paperwork — and student volunteers help prepare returns using IRS-approved software through the VITA program.
“They bring in all their paperwork they’ll need for their taxes,” Whitsell said. “Most of the people that we’re allowed to do are lower-level income, mostly college students, so they’ll mostly only have W-2s. They just bring in all their tax paperwork, and then we have a program through the VITA program — a TaxSlayer version of it.”
Whitsell and Vincent are both accounting majors and are currently working tax internships, which helps them apply classroom knowledge in real-world situations.
Vincent said the program benefits both the students and the community members they assist.
“In my opinion, it’s great that we can come out here and help people who don’t really know much about their taxes,” he said. “We had an international student come in the other day who was really confused and scared about what she needed to file. We tried to explain it to her and help get her set up.”
The student-led group, informally known as the VITA Tax Club, currently includes about eight or nine volunteers, most of whom are accounting majors, though students from other programs can also participate.
“We have a lot of volunteers this year — probably eight or nine members. Most are accounting majors, but you don’t have to be an accounting student to help.”
Early turnout has already been stronger than expected.
“It helps so much. You take what you learn at your internship and what you learn in the classroom, bring it here, and you’re able to use it while helping other people. It’s a great experience.”
Whitsell said the experience helps prepare students for their future careers while also serving the community.
“I enjoy helping people and teaching others the concepts I’ve learned from my tax classes and internships. The experience helps me prepare for my future career and assists others in the process.”
VITA assistance is available on Tuesdays beginning March 10 from 6-9 p.m. in the Computer Lab in the Library Learning Center in the Winchester Center. Those seeking more information can contact Whitsell at [email protected].
Kentucky Wesleyan College partners with the United Methodist Church to provide a liberal arts education designed to prepare students intellectually, spiritually and physically for success in life.
