Law students offer free tax help to those in need

Students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas want to help make this time of year a little less "taxing" for you.

Law students are volunteering to offer free tax preparation assistance for people with low to moderate incomes. The IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is being organized by students in the Boyd Financial Law Society.

Free tax help is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through April 14, excluding March 3, 10 and 17, at the Cambridge Recreation Center, 3930 Cambridge St. Students also plan to be at the center from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 and 28.

Additional sessions are to be available from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 and 29, March 28 and April 4 and 11 at the Whitney Recreation Center, 5712 Missouri Ave.

Volunteers have been trained and certified to prepare and file tax returns with the IRS.

People are asked to bring their returns, a photo ID and Social Security cards for themselves and any dependents they plan on claiming.

Second-year law student Rajan Dhungana was trained last summer by the IRS and helped train the 39 students participating in the program over the winter break.

"We decided to revitalize the club and to have a community service-oriented event that was also practical for the law students," Dhungana said. "A lot of us are interested in tax law. Even a law student who's not interested in tax law per se, they can still benefit personally from learning this."

Dhungana said all the student volunteers are trained at the most advanced level possible under the program. They can prepare tax returns for military personnel and people with international incomes.

There is an unofficial income ceiling of $50,000 for people they will help, he said.

Retired resident Robert Richard attended the Jan. 31 session at the Cambridge Recreation Center after stumbling upon it while he came in to see the center's amenities.

"Not only is it giving (the students) experience," said Richard, "but being that I'm on a limited income, I didn't want to spend the income I am getting for an accountant when I could get it for free. This here was just painless. It was a comfortable experience."

Dhungana said the Law Society would like to expand to more community centers next year if more students volunteer.

First-year law student Silvia Villanueva said she is undecided about which area of law she will practice. Whether she studies financial law or not, she said she is happy helping the community.

"I know a lot of people can't afford tax attorneys or H&R Block to get their taxes done," Villanueva said. "We can help bring more money into the community with tax refunds."

Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 224-5524.