Accounting students from Montana State University’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship are offering free help preparing tax returns for MSU students and individuals who made less than $60,000 last year.
The 2025 help sessions will be held on the MSU campus in Jabs Hall, Room 215, from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m. on the following dates: Feb. 24, 26; March 3, 5, 10, 12, 24, 26, 31; and April 2.
Interested individuals are encouraged to make an appointment, as there will be a very limited number of walk-in spots each day. Appointments can be booked online at https://bit.ly/msu-vita-2025. People seeking tax help should make one appointment only; those who set multiple bookings will be removed from all appointments on the schedule, according to event organizers.
Upper-division and graduate accounting students will be available to prepare federal and state income tax returns and answer tax questions. Free electronic filing will be available for most 1040 forms.
For their appointments, people should bring their 2024 W-2 forms, Forms 1099, Forms 1095-A, B or C (Affordable Care statements), any other tax documents, a picture ID, Social Security cards for each person listed on the return and printed copies of 2023 tax returns, if available.
The student accounting volunteers are part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which was established by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to assist those who may find it difficult to pay for tax preparation services. The program also provides accounting students with practical experience.
Each student accounting volunteer has passed an IRS tax preparation exam, completed at least one comprehensive tax course, received specific training related to common tax issues, and has access to a variety of federal and state reference materials. The sessions are sponsored by the MSU Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
“The mutually beneficial nature of this important program is what makes it so exciting,” said Brian Gillespie, dean of MSU’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship. “Students gain valuable real-world experience in accounting while providing an essential service to the local community.”
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