Baylor Accounting Students Serve Community with Free Tax Assistance
Waco VITA program brings together students from Baylor, University and La Vega high schools to prepare more than 1,500 tax returns for families across McLennan County
(Photo Credit: Getty Images/ herstockart)
Contact: Kelly Craine, 254-297-9065
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WACO, Texas (February 13, 2026) – This tax season, 140 undergraduate and graduate accounting students from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business are partnering with students from University High School and La Vega High School to provide free tax preparation through the student-led Waco Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Together, they expect to prepare more than 1,500 tax returns for families across McLennan County.
The Waco VITA program offers no-cost tax preparation services to help local families access important tax benefits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. Baylor accounting students have participated in the program since 2008, combining hands-on professional training with meaningful community engagement.
“Students sharpen their technical skills preparing tax returns,” said Jason MacGregor, Ph.D., associate professor, The Roderick Homes Chair of Accountancy and co-director of Waco VITA program. “But the deeper education happens when students listen to the stories of Waco neighbors. For many, it is their first opportunity to sit face-to-face with someone working to break cycles of generational poverty. They learn how to ask thoughtful questions, how to listen carefully and how compassion is an essential part of professional service.”
Graduate student Samantha Chelf has volunteered with the Waco VITA program for two years. One of the most impactful parts of VITA for her was the realization that she and her fellow students weren’t seen as “just college students, but as people that others trust with sensitive information that isn’t always easy to talk about.”
“Knowing that someone is willing to put that trust in us and that we can help make a real difference in their lives has been a really rewarding experience,” Chelf said.
Waco VITA Sessions
Through April 9, residents may have their taxes prepared by Waco VITA student volunteers, with all returns reviewed for quality by experienced tax preparers.
In-person sessions will be held:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays at University High School, 3201 N. New Road, and
- Wednesdays at La Vega High School, 555 N. Loop 340.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
Individuals seeking assistance should bring a valid photo ID (such as a driver’s license, state ID card, passport or Matrícula Consular card), a Social Security card or ITIN documentation, and all relevant tax documents, including W-2 or 1099 forms.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.
ABOUT THE HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business strives to further God’s kingdom through the realm of business, using God-given gifts and academic talents to do so. Faculty and students conduct purposeful research and participate in experiential learning opportunities, all while operating in a Christ-centered mission. Undergraduate students can choose from 13 major areas of study. Graduate students can earn their MBA on their terms, either through the full-time, online or a Dallas-based executive program. The Business School also offers three Ph.D. programs in Information Systems, Entrepreneurship or Health Services Research. The School’s top-ranked programs make up approximately 25% of the University’s total enrollment. Visit the Hankamer School of Business website for more information.