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Lisa Nash, senior lecturer of accounting at the University of North Georgia (ÖйúPÕ¾), presented at the inaugural VITA U 2023 conference in June at the University of Puerto Rico. The University of Georgia (UGA) served as the conference co-host.

The conference provides a forum to share scholarship stemming from university-affiliated Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) activities.

Nash shared information on potential challenges VITA sites may face when implementing an online, facilitated self-assist program, where taxpayers can prepare their own tax returns online with the oversight assistance of the VITA volunteers, in an academic setting.

"I enjoyed networking with other faculty who engage in the VITA program with their students, to share ideas, and gather feedback for VITA-related research topics," Nash said. "VITA provides a great opportunity for experiential learning and allows students to share their talents as a way to give back to the community."

Nash is a certified public accountant. The VITA program she oversees at ÖйúPÕ¾ normally serves more than 100 taxpayers each filing season. The ÖйúPÕ¾ program is looking to expand the facilitated self-assist option to serve more taxpayers in the next filing season.

UGA plans to host the 2024 VITA U conference in Athens, Georgia.