Seth Fichtelberg first heard about the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program back in 2013 while studying accounting and information systems at Boston College. When one of his professors mentioned that they served as the liaison between BC’s Carroll School of Management and VITA, Fichtelberg decided to lend his skills to helping Massachusetts residents file their taxes. Now, almost 12 years later, he’s once again volunteering for VITA, this time at the ABCD Roxbury/North Dorchester Neighborhood Opportunity Center.
Despite Direct File now being available to many Massachusetts residents, Fichtelberg is adamant that receiving personalized service is critical for many of his clients. “At our site, many of those who walk in the door are repeat clients of either the tax prep service or one of the other ABCD services,” he says. “Having some familiarity with our clients’ living situations helps us apply the complex rules for things like filing status or Earned Income Tax Credit eligibility.”
Now a veteran of the VITA world, Fichtelberg feels just as passionate about his work now as when he started, citing its direct and tangible impact. “At the end of an hour-long appointment, I get to stand up, look the client in the eye, shake their hand, and tell them that they will receive hundreds or even thousands of dollars,” he says. “This work is more personally and professionally fulfilling than anything I’ve done for pay.”