For the past three years, Dinuba High School’s Tax Slayers program has continued to grow while helping hundreds of community members file their taxes for free. Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, students are gaining real-world experience, earning IRS certifications, and giving back to the community.

The VITA program is sponsored by the IRS and designed to help low-income families, elderly taxpayers, and people with limited English proficiency receive free tax preparation assistance. At Dinuba High School, the program operates through a partnership with Community Services and Employment Training (CSET), which provides students with professional tax training and certification opportunities. 

According to the program advisor, John Celum, students in the accounting class are trained to prepare real tax returns for real people. The students complete several weeks of training and must pass certification exams before they can begin helping taxpayers. 

“Students get a real certification so they can work on real taxes for real people,” the advisor, Mr. Celum, shared. “They already know their work ethic and skills, so it can lead directly to job opportunities.”

In addition to gaining technical tax knowledge, students also developed communication and customer service skills by working with the public, answering questions, and helping community members complete paperwork. Mr. Celum stated that seeing his students develop new skills and use them to help others is the most rewarding part of the program.

“Just seeing my students learn a whole new skill set and be able to use it in a way that gives back to the community,” he said.

As the VITA program continues, Mr. Celum hopes the Tax Slayers club will maintain its success and continue to prepare students for future careers while serving local families.