VITA: Allegany County United Way Provided Free Tax Filing Services at Alfred University

 

Today, Alfred University hosted the Allegany County United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, providing free tax filing services to the local community.  Shawn M. Currier, coordinator of the program, and Alfred University MBA Accounting Students assisted local taxpayers with their federal and local tax filing needs for this tax season.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities 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.

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 their website at www.acuw.com and like them on Facebook.

LAW241 Guest Speakers: Mrs. Birdsong and Mrs. O’Dierno of the US Department of Labor

 

Mrs. Shequeila Birdsong and Mrs. Amber O’Dierno of the US Department of Labor spoke to Alfred University students this morning about Wage and Hour legal issues. They gave many interesting examples of industries that are investigated for non-compliance with federal minimum wage, and other wage and hourly pay requirements.

Mrs. Birdsong is the Community Outreach and Planning Specialist for the Federal Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.  She began her federal service with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) where she spent a decade working in various positions.  Her final position at the IRS was as a Taxpayer Advocate.

Ms. O’Dierno is an investigator with the United States Department of Labor’s Wage & Hour Division. She was hired as an investigator in January of 2015. She investigates employers to ensure they are in compliance with federal labor laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Service Contract Act (SCA), Davis Bacon and Related Contract Acts (DBRA), Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA), and temporary worker programs  (H-2A, H-2B, H-1B). Prior to coming to work for the U.S. Department of Labor, she worked as an investigator at the New York State Department of Labor‘s Division of Labor Standards, and the Internal Revenue Service. She has a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice.

MBA657: Mr. Shawn Currier of Allegany County United Way Held a Tax Return VITA Training Session at Alfred University

 

Shawn M. Currier, coordinator of the Allegany County United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program held a VITA training session today for our students.  Those students will engage in VITA service as part of their advanced taxation course.

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. Alfred University’s IRS-certified volunteers provide basic federal and state income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

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 their website at www.acuw.com and like them on Facebook.

LAW442: Carrie Whitwood, Executive Director of Ardent Solutions, on Nonprofit Management

Carrie Whitwood spoke on the challenges of leading and growing a nonprofit in the healthcare and social services sector.

In 1994, key stakeholders and healthcare leaders from across Allegany County joined together in response to a New York State Department of Health funding announcement entitled the Rural Health Network Development Program.  The founding members were successful in these efforts and embraced the concept of working together toward the greater good of our community’s health and wellness.

With the leadership of its Executive Director, Carrie Whitwood, Ardent Solutions continues to thrive by collaborating with local, regional and state-wide partners to improve community health outcomes, increase independence through safe and reliable mobility options, and decreasing unintentional injuries and suicide risks. It is our vision that working together proactively, we will create a healthy, sustainable and livable community for all.

ACCT371 Guest Speakers: Allegany County United Way VITA Program, and the IRS

Shawn M. Currier, coordinator of the Allegany County United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, and Allison CM Stefanik, stakeholder relationship tax consultant, of the Internal revenue Service spoke to our students 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. Alfred University’s IRS-certified volunteers provide basic federal and state income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

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 their website at www.acuw.com and like them on Facebook.

IncubatorWorks Celebrates 30 Years of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

 

On November 14th Alfred University Drone Club students and faculty helped IncubatorWorks celebrate 30 years of entrepreneurship and innovation at their Alfred NY location.

IncubatorWorks is a resource for business startups and expansions in the Southern Tier of New York. From ideation, to testing, to limited production, to full manufacturing – they help by offering advanced technologies, flexible manufacturing infrastructure, and professional mentoring.

With two locations [Alfred and Corning], their mission is to help entrepreneurs start or grow businesses in a cost effective, supportive environment until the business is ready to graduate to its own dedicated space.

As part of Start-Up NY and in partnership with the Southern Tier Startup Alliance and the Western NY Regional Hot Spot, IncubatorWorks provides the most comprehensive business and manufacturing ‘incubator’ network in the region. This network provides direct support and services from the following universities and colleges: Alfred State College, Alfred University, Binghamton University, Cornell University, Clarkson University, Corning Community College, SUNY Fredonia and the University of Buffalo.