UK Law students will provide free tax preparation starting Feb. 20

Feb 15, 2017

Students, Douglas Michael, Jennifer Bird-Pollan

February 15, 2017

This spring, the University of Kentucky College of Law will continue one of its signature pro bono efforts – the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. The UK Tax Clinic will be open Monday, February 20 through Tuesday, April 18. Taxpayers can schedule an appointment at http://law.uky.edu/tax.

The UK Law VITA site is one of nineteen in Central Kentucky operating with the help of United Way of the Bluegrass. UK Law student volunteers provide free assistance with tax preparations and filings to mostly low income individuals with simple returns.

The UK Tax Clinic is located in the basement of the College of Law building in room 47. The building is on South Limestone, adjacent to Memorial Hall. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Taxpayers must bring the following:

Photo ID
Social Security Card or ITIN for taxpayer, spouse and dependents
All Forms W-2, 1099, 1098, or 1042-S you have received
Documentation of other income
Copy of last year's return, if available

Last year, a total of 28 volunteers, including 14 law students and one law alumna, prepared and filed 593 tax returns, saving clients an estimated $88,950 in preparation fees. Clients received $707,821 in federal refunds and $93,898 in state refunds.

Douglas Michael, Stites & Harbison Professor of Law, leads the VITA clinic with the help of Jennifer Bird-Pollan, James and Mary Lassiter Associate Professor of Law. All student volunteers must complete a series of in-class or online trainings, and afterwards, pass multiple Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tests to receive certification. Students are awarded pro bono hours by UK Law for their participation.

For a list of frequently asked questions, visit http://law.uky.edu/tax/faq.