Author: Luis Rodriguez Jr.

Assistant Professor of Law and Taxation, Alfred University, rodriguez@alfred.edu

Bergren Forum: Drone Technology – Teaching Entrepreneurship Experientially

The Bergren Forum sponsored by the Division of Human Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Provost’s Office will be meeting on Thursday December 8th at 12:10 PM in the Nevins Theatre, Powell Campus Center.

Speaker: Luis Rodriguez Jr.

Guest Speaker: Southern Tier CA$H Program (VITA)

Guest speakers from the Southern Tier CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) spoke today about their IRS sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.  Ther program is led by Arbor Housing and Development, offering free tax help for low-to-moderate income families and individuals, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

CA$H volunteers prepare both your federal and state tax returns, and help taxpayers find tax credits for eligible taxpayers.

  • FREE – Using a paid preparer can cost $250 or more per person; the CA$H program costs nothing.
  • FAST – By e-filing and having your refund direct-deposited, you will receive your money quicker.
  • CONVENIENT – CA$H appointments are available at sites across the Southern Tier, and at times that work for you.
  • ACCURATE – CA$H volunteers are trained by IRS-approved specialists and must complete certification tests before completing any returns.

Guest Speaker: Allegany County United Way VITA Program

Shawn M. Currier, coordinator of the Allegany County United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program spoke to our students today about volunteering for the VITA program works and all the good that program does in Allegany County.

VITA assists taxpayers who make $54,000 or less, people with disabilities, and limited English speaking taxpayers who need help preparing their own tax returns. Our IRS-certified volunteers provide basic federal and state income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

This past year, 512 families have been served, with total income tax refunds of $800,573. In addition, we estimate that this program has saved these families approximately $175 each in preparation costs for a total of $88,550.

Allegany County United Way supports over 25 nonprofit programs in our community that impact one in every three local residents. For the full list of programs supported, go to our website at www.acuw.com and like us on Facebook.

The 6th Annual Alfred Clay Collective Live & Silent Auction

Tonight, AU Business Students supported their fellow students at the Alfred Clay Collective auction.  Business students gained a new appreciation of their colleague’s art as they saw first hand how the sale of art ties into the Law of Contracts (LAW241), and the Uniform Commercial Code (LAW442).

Guest Speaker from the Department of Justice: Richard A. Resnick

Mr. Richard A. Resnick spoke to LAW241 students today on the topic of white collar crime, and of his experiences as a prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice in the Western District of New York.  He explained that while on his way to obtaining his CPA, he instead chose to go to law school and use his accounting skills with the Internal Revenue Service where he honed his legal and investigatory skills.

Richard A. Resnick, Assistant U.S. Attorney in Charge of the Rochester Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.  He obtained his law degree from the State University at Buffalo Faculty of Law and Jurisprudence, and his undergraduate Accounting degree from Alfred University.