Feliciano Students Make a Difference with Free Tax Services for Local Community

Students from the Feliciano School of Business recently provided free tax preparation and filing services through the Internal Revenue Service-supported Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. VITA is a longstanding federal initiative designed to support low-to-moderate income individuals, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and other underserved populations who may face barriers in accessing reliable and affordable tax services.

Throughout this year’s tax filing season, 35 Feliciano students worked more than 1,300 hours in preparing and processing tax returns. They demonstrated both technical expertise and a strong commitment to service, assisting members of the local communities of Paterson, Clifton, and Montclair. Working under faculty supervision and after completing IRS certification requirements, students guided taxpayers through the filing process, ensuring accuracy while helping clients understand credits, deductions, and filing options available to them.

The program not only provided meaningful financial support to the community—often helping individuals secure refunds or avoid costly filing fees—but also served as a powerful experiential learning opportunity. Through VITA, students gain hands-on experience while delivering a valuable service, applying classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios and developing essential skills in communication, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making.