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As the calendar has crept closer to the income tax filing deadline, Carroll School of Management undergraduates and graduate students have assisted Allston-Brighton residents with their tax returns, through a program organized by the CSOM Honors Program and overseen by Accounting Lecturer Ed Taylor.
“The tax assistance program seemed like a perfect match for us. We have a top accounting program and it was a way for us to give back,” said coordinator Emmie Monsein ’12, a leader of the CSOM Honors Program’s Community Service Committee.
Taylor — who had previously worked with CSOM students for many years on the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program — collaborated with Monsein to bring the program to fruition. The tax sessions for the residents were held at the BC Neighborhood Center in Brighton. By and large, the returns were straight forward, said Monsein, but some
were more complicated, involving rental property and a business partnership.
Most of the students who participated in this year’s tax assistance program came from Taylor’s Advanced Tax class. Taylor provided training and tax software for the students, and doublechecked every return worked on by the BC students.
“I continue to be amazed at how many of our BC students want to give back in some way,” says Taylor. “We trained about 15 volunteers and at least that many more inquired about getting involved.”
“The clients have really appreciated the BC students’ enthusiasm and diligence, as well as getting their taxes done for free,” said BC Neighborhood Center Director Maria DiChiappari.