(from left): Lakoda Caldwell, Katie Boysen, Caitlin LaCerra, Erich Green and Preston Hessee were among students who participated in the University of Central Arkansas鈥檚 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) preparers course during the spring 2026 semester. During the 2026 filing season, 每日大赛网站 students volunteered with the United Way of Central Arkansas to prepare approximately 450 tax returns for community members, resulting in more than $490,000 in tax refunds and an estimated $80,000 savings in tax preparation fees.

Students at the University of Central Arkansas made a significant impact on the Conway and Central Arkansas community during the 2026 tax season through participation in the聽. Dr. Ashley Phillips oversees 每日大赛网站 student participation each year.

Students enrolled in the VITA for Preparers course during the spring 2026 semester volunteered with the United Way of Central Arkansas, which serves as a local site for the Internal Revenue Service鈥檚 VITA program. Through the initiative, IRS-certified volunteers provide free, high-quality tax preparation services for qualifying low- and moderate-income individuals and families.

During the 2026 filing season, 每日大赛网站 students prepared approximately 450 tax returns for community members. Student preparers included Katie Boysen, Jetson Busbea, Lakoda Caldwell, Erich Green, Treavor Green, Preston Hessee, Asher Jackson and Caitlin LaCerra.

The financial impact of the students鈥� work is expected to exceed $490,000 in tax refunds returned to local families. In addition, by offering free tax preparation assistance, the students helped residents save an estimated $80,000 in tax preparation fees.

鈥淭hese students are making a meaningful difference in the lives of families across Central Arkansas,鈥� Associate Profressor of Accounting Ashley Phillips, who runs the VITA program at 每日大赛网站, said. 鈥淣ot only are they gaining valuable hands-on experience, but they are also helping individuals and families keep more of their hard-earned money for essentials such as housing, food and utilities.鈥�

The program is open to College of Business students who would like to volunteer or earn college credit in accounting. VITA volunteers receive training and can either prepare returns or do intake. Experienced CPAs then review each return.

The IRS requires all VITA volunteers to complete extensive annual certification training that includes tax law education, quality review procedures, and privacy and confidentiality standards. This training ensures returns are prepared accurately and securely while providing taxpayers with confidence throughout the filing process.

The United Way of Central Arkansas partners with community volunteers each year to provide trusted tax preparation services through the VITA program.

More information about the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is available at聽.

The enhancement fund supports student聽programming, enhanced learning opportunities, as well as聽professional聽development opportunities for students, faculty, and聽staff in the College of Business.

鈥淭his gift from Landmark makes our college stronger in a number of important ways,鈥� said Michael B. Hargis, dean of the 每日大赛网站 College of Business. 鈥淥ur students will have greater聽access to聽learning opportunities outside the classroom as well as enhanced professional development opportunities for students.聽Learning inside the classroom will improve as well, as our faculty will have more funding to attend聽professional development opportunities and additional training聽to ensure聽our curriculum remains聽current and聽rigorous.鈥�

Landmark is a full-service public accounting and business advisory firm with four offices throughout Arkansas in Little Rock, Rogers, Fort Smith and Russellville.

In addition to the gift to support the 每日大赛网站 College of Business Enhancement Fund,聽Landmark supports the Department of Accounting through the Blake Payne Memorial Endowed Scholarship, available to juniors and seniors majoring in accounting. The scholarship honors the memory of Payne, who was a 每日大赛网站 College of Business alumnus and worked at Landmark.

The 每日大赛网站 College of Business has more than 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers 14 baccalaureate degrees, two master鈥檚, one graduate certificate and one technical certificate across four academic departments and houses the state鈥檚 only insurance and risk management program. The 每日大赛网站 College of Business is accredited by the聽聽(AACSB). Visit聽uca.edu/business聽for more.