University of Virginia School of Law students are helping community members file their taxes for the ninth year in a row through the Volunteer Income Tax Association and United Way. This week, student volunteers hosted a "Taxapalooza" event to help community members with their tax returns.

"Participating in the VITA program is an opportunity to provide help to low- and moderate-income members of the community while gaining valuable practical experience outside the classroom," said VITA President Jacob Aronson, a third-year law student. "Volunteers increase their substantive knowledge of tax law concepts and see how the law impacts individual taxpayers. Volunteers also must apply many of the interpersonal skills that are necessary for a successful legal career, by assisting clients with sensitive matters and explaining what are sometimes complicated tax issues."

Aid to qualifying taxpayers will be available through April 18. (More)

Quick facts on this year’s VITA effort:

  • 48 law student volunteers
  • 500 tax returns prepared (as of March 31), and students anticipate preparing at least 700 returns by the end of the tax season.
  • All volunteers completed 25 hours of training in order to become certified by the IRS.
  • Each volunteer will average around 40 volunteer hours by the end of the tax season (1,920 hours total).

Founded in 1819, the University of Virginia School of Law is the second-oldest continuously operating law school in the nation. Consistently ranked among the top law schools, Virginia is a world-renowned training ground for distinguished lawyers and public servants, instilling in them a commitment to leadership, integrity and community service.