Muskingum News

Muskingum Accounting students are volunteering their Saturdays throughout the month of February 2018 to provide free tax preparation workshops through the United Way of Guernsey, Noble & Monroe Counties.

The group of ten students have all completed their certification to become "certified tax counselors" and are currently enrolled in or have already completed the Advanced Taxation course at Muskingum. Their work in the United Way program is supervised by CPA Philip E. Laube, Muskingum's Vice President for Finance & Operations.

To date, the students have assisted more than 60 residents in completing their taxes and saved approximately $10,000 in tax preparation fees. "Nearly all of the individuals and families attending the program have low incomes. By focusing on often overlooked tax benefits for the working poor, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, our students have enabled taxpayers to obtain refunds and save thousands of dollars in tax preparation fees," Mr. Laube said.  "Our students are serving others, having an important economic impact on our local community, and gaining real-world practical experience in their field."

Students participating in the program include Kelsey Hague '18 and Xinxin Wei '18 -- both returning for their second year of volunteering -- and first-time volunteers Jah-Haile Tyler '19, Samantha Workman '18, Deric Matesic '19, Dustin Tavenner '19, Gabriel Shetler '20, Tanner Walker '19, Angel Hiett '19, and Elijah Hall '19.

Stephanie Laube '05 is the Executive Director of the United Way of Guernsey, Noble & Monroe Counties. The workshops are using a system provided by the Ohio Benefit Bank.