UW-Oshkosh Accounting Students Offer Free Tax Assistance

Students gain real-world experience through VITA program partnership.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's accounting students are providing free tax return preparation services to community members through the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The program allows students to apply their classroom knowledge and earn certifications while helping local residents file their taxes at no cost.

Why it matters

The VITA program gives UW-Oshkosh accounting students valuable hands-on experience before graduation, while also providing a needed service to the Oshkosh community. With tax filing often confusing for many individuals, the free assistance helps make the process more accessible.

The details

The Sage Hall Finance Trading Room at UW-Oshkosh has been transformed into a tax preparation hub, where 14 accounting students are working through the VITA program. The students have completed IRS tax law training and certification to provide quality tax return preparation services. The program is expected to file around 250 returns this year.

  • Tax filing season is currently underway.

The players

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

A public university located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, offering a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including an accounting degree.

Kazeem Akinyele

An associate accounting professor at UW-Oshkosh and the coordinator of the school's VITA program.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

A nationwide IRS-guided initiative that provides free basic tax return preparation for qualifying individuals.

Oshkosh Area United Way

A local non-profit organization partnering with UW-Oshkosh and the IRS on the VITA program.

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What they’re saying

“Students learn it in the classroom, they earn their certifications and then they apply it in real time with real clients.”

— Kazeem Akinyele, VITA Coordinator and Associate Accounting Professor (wearegreenbay.com)

What’s next

The VITA program at UW-Oshkosh will continue offering free tax preparation services to the community through the end of tax season.

The takeaway

The UW-Oshkosh VITA program provides a valuable opportunity for accounting students to gain real-world experience while also giving back to the local community by offering free tax preparation services to those who need it.