Weber State Students Offer Free Tax Prep Help

University program provides tax filing assistance to Utah residents with incomes under $75,000.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 4:21am

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As Tax Day approaches, students at Weber State University are providing free tax preparation services through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The program is open to any Utah resident with an annual income of $75,000 or less, and excludes those with rental income or cryptocurrency transactions. Weber State finance and accounting students receive training to become certified tax preparers, and then work under the supervision of professors and graduate students to file returns for qualifying individuals.

Why it matters

The VITA program helps make professional tax preparation services accessible to low- and moderate-income individuals who may not be able to afford private tax preparation services. This is especially important as tax codes become increasingly complex, and many people struggle to navigate the filing process on their own.

The details

Through the VITA program, Weber State students gain hands-on experience in tax preparation while providing a valuable community service. Qualifying individuals can make appointments, fill out an intake form, and have an undergraduate student prepare their taxes. The returns are then reviewed by a graduate student or professor before being filed. The program not only helps participants receive their full tax refunds, but also provides peace of mind that their returns are prepared correctly.

  • Tax Day is approaching in 2026.
  • The VITA program at Weber State runs on Monday evenings.

The players

Cooper Pugmire

A finance major with a minor in accounting at Weber State University, who is helping people file their taxes through the VITA program.

Ella Sanders

A Weber State student who came to get help with her taxes through the VITA program.

Jennifer Garn

A master's student at Weber State who reviews tax returns prepared by the undergraduate students in the VITA program.

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What they’re saying

“I'm a math person, I do well with numbers, so for me it makes sense, it just clicks in my head.”

— Cooper Pugmire, Finance major with a minor in accounting

“It really gives you a lot of peace of mind because you know they are filed correctly and it just is done, rather than getting online and trying to figure it out and worrying about all the different forms and everything else, knowing professors are in charge of it and they know what they're doing.”

— Ella Sanders, Weber State student

“Because taxes can feel so overwhelming and scary, it's so important. If you have someone to talk to, your income all gathered up, and you have someone that can walk you through it, it's really not as painful as it can seem.”

— Jennifer Garn, Master's student

What’s next

The VITA program at Weber State runs on Monday evenings throughout tax season, and individuals can make appointments online to receive free tax preparation assistance.

The takeaway

The VITA program at Weber State University provides a valuable community service by making professional tax preparation accessible to low- and moderate-income individuals. The program not only helps participants receive their full tax refunds, but also gives students hands-on experience in tax preparation, demonstrating how universities can leverage their resources to support their local communities.