'U' preparing taxes

There are two things in life that are certain - death and taxes.

With that in mind, University students already are preparing for the April 15 deadline for filing taxes. But they are doing so in many different ways.

While many students have decided to file their taxes themselves, others have decided to leave all tax matters up to their parents.

"My parents are doing my taxes. It just worked out that way," said LSA first-year student Brian Cula.

Like Cula, many students have decided that instead of filing themselves, they feel more comfortable letting their parents file for them.

SARA STILLMAN/Daily Anil Nair, a post doctoral medical researcher, meets with great frustration when Business students don't have all the answers to his tax questions.

"My father has his own practice and offered to do them," said Medical student James Young.

Other students have decided to file their taxes early and separately from their parents.

Taylor said he plans to first mail the tax return that he expects will give him a monetary return.

For those students who decide to file their taxes themselves, the School of Business Administration accounting fraternity Beta Alpha Psi provides tax counseling and services.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is a group of trained Business School students who provide step-by-step counseling for filing taxes.

VITA "has been operating for years," said Business junior and President of Beta Alpha Psi Jeff Soutar. Soutar added that through VITA, students can learn that there are many deductions for college students to file on their taxes to receive money back from the government.

"All renters can take credit on their rent payments," Soutar said.

The University also provides tax-filing services for international students. Every year, the International Center organizes tax-filing seminars for international students and scholars. The seminars, which last about an hour and a half, are conducted by foreign student advisers.

The International Center provides tax help each year because the procedures for international students are different.

"All international students have to file a tax form even if they have no income in the U.S.," said Louise Baldwin, program director at the International Center.

Each seminar is either held in B510 at the Pierpont Commons on North Campus or at the International Center in room 1370.

The International Center will be holding a Michigan tax workshop for international students and scholars today at noon in the Kuenzel room of the Michigan Union.

VITA meets every Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. in room B2280 in the Business School until April 15. For more information on the seminars, call the International Center at 764-9310.

03-26-98