Story by Michelle Hawks, Staff Writer

Photo by Nick Bohannon/The News

It’s 9 a.m. on a  Friday morning, and while most students are sleeping or in class, Hannah Combs is preparing to assist people with their taxes.

Combs, senior accounting major from Hazard, Kentucky, is one of four site coordinators for the VITA—Volunteer Income Tax Assistance—program that takes place every year.

On April 6, she will participate in the program for the last time. The last session will be held at at Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business from noon to 6 p.m.

The VITA program has taken place at Murray State since 1976. The program offers the community free tax preparation for low to moderate income and elderly taxpayers, as well as international students.

Taxpayers should bring all necessary tax documents with them. No appointment is necessary, but taxpayers can expect to spend approximately an hour at the program.

All of the students who volunteer for VITA are certified by the IRS. This year, 35 students are volunteering for the program as greeters, interviewers, reviewers and site coordinators.

Denise O’Shaughnessy, an assistant professor in the accounting department, is in charge of the program.

“I’m thrilled because I get to expose my students to several different aspects of taxes before they enter the real world,” O’Shaughnessy said.

She said students work in partners to prepare the taxes work, and she is always there to answer any of their questions.

“By the third or fourth session, they know exactly what they are doing,” she said.

Both Combs and O’Shaughnessy said they hope to see the program grow as more people learn about it.

“It’s just a quiet thing that we do for the community,” O’Shaughnessy said.

For Combs, she said the program isn’t just something to put on a résume, but it’s about doing something she loves.

“I look forward to VITA season every year,” Combs said.

Combs said her long-term goal is to be an estate planner for high net-worth clients and assist them with passing their fortune on to other generations.

“I’m a really nosey person, so I love it.” Combs said. “I think that’s what fueled my passion for it.”

Taxes aside, she said she loves being part of its tradition here on campus.

“I’m not in a sorority, and I’ve never done All-Campus Sing,” she said. “This is my way of being part of Murray State.”

The last session will take place on April 6 from noon to 6 p.m. at Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business. Upon arrival, taxpayers will receive a parking tag that allows them to park outside the building. For more information, contact Denise O’Shaughnessy at [email protected].