The Role of Instructor Due Diligence in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): Evidence From One University-Level Program

Abstract

This paper reviews the tax preparation practice of one university-level Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to determine the role, if any, due diligence requirements for paid preparers should have on student preparers. The due diligence requirements as outlined in Circular 230 apply to paid preparers. The Volunteer Standards of Conduct are outlined in IRS publication 4012 and apply to VITA volunteers who are often students. This study analyzes the tax challenges faced by student prepares in a VITA program, and how the increased due diligence standards required of the IRS for paid preparers would be beneficial to the students participating in a VITA program. The study models tax return data to show the financial benefit application of due diligence standards would have for the Internal Revenue Service. The goal of this paper is to show the importance of higher due diligence standards, and we contribute to the literature by providing the first review of VITA tax preparation through the lens of paid-preparer due diligence requirements.