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Tax relief in sight at university By Amber Fossen Ashland Daily Tidings Southern Oregon students don't have to go off campus to file taxes. The SOU Accounting Students Association is offering students, faculty and even the public free taxpayer assistance on campus. The free service offers accounting students the opportunity to fine-tune their skills while providing a much needed service in an accommodating way. According to Al Case, SOU assistant professor of accounting, the tax assistance program is offered to junior and senior accounting students as a way to gain hands-on work experience and some extra credit. "It's a great experience for the students not only in figuring out how to do the taxes but in dealing with people," Case said. "It's hands-on experience that they don't necessarily get in class." The service ran two weeks in February and will continue to operate until March 13 before pausing for finals and spring break. Service will then resume March 31 and last until April 15. SOU senior accounting major Jennifer Dryden said despite Measure 28's stall on the filing process, business is booming. "We actually had a lot more people come in than we thought would take advantage of the service," Dryden said. Last year, more than 75 returns were filed on campus. This year's totals will likely surpass that mark - 50 returns were filed in February alone. Approximately 12 accounting students are operating the service from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday in the School of Business computer lab located in Central Hall on the SOU campus. Cheri Williams, an SOU senior accounting major said although the program offers a convenient service to the campus community, it also benefits accounting students. "It gives me practice but it also confirms even more that this is what I want to do," Williams said Tuesday while processing a tax return. In order to file, students, faculty or community members must come equipped with the necessary information which includes a W2, any interest statements, social security number and their children's social security number if that applies. Once taxes are complete, returns are then e-filed every Monday. While the service is accommodating, there is a limit. With complicated returns, accounting assistants said they would refer people to an outside qualified source. While word about the service is spreading, some students like SOU freshman Ian Yannell had no idea they could receive tax help on campus. "It sounds like a pretty good service for free," Yannell said, adding he still hasn't filed. Case said while some people fail to report taxes, particularly in professions where employees are paid under the table, it will catch up sooner or later. "Eventually the Internal Revenue Service will catch up with you and not only hit you with the original taxes but also with interest and penalties," he said. Those opting to take advantage of the service can expect up to a four week wait on returns. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -