Jackson Teague is making an impact through UWTC’S Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, where volunteers help residents access free tax preparation services, maximize refunds and avoid costly fees.
A Tarrant County College (TCC) student pursuing his CPA, Jackson has already passed his enrolled agent exams, a series of IRS-administered tests certifying him as a tax professional. He will attend the University of North Texas Honors College this fall. Despite a demanding schedule, he continues to make a strong impact through his dedication to service as a VITA volunteer.
In this Volunteer Spotlight Q&A, Jackson shares more about his experience with VITA and what motivates him to give back.
1. What inspired you to volunteer with VITA, especially aiming for 100 hours in your first year?
I have an amazing accounting professor, Mr. Grewe from TCC Northeast. He introduced me to VITA as a great way to get first-hand tax experience. After volunteering at the Community Enrichment Center in North Richland Hills and Shadow Brook in Arlington for the first few sessions, I fell in love with the program. One hundred hours and 200 returns felt like big but achievable goals alongside my two other jobs and commitments as a student.
2. How does volunteering fit into your personal or professional goals?
It is a great way to gain hands-on tax experience. As someone who aspires to work in public tax accounting, it has proven to be a strong way to get your foot in the door. It impresses interviewers and looks great on a resume.
3. Was there a moment or experience that made you want to give back through VITA?
After my first few sessions volunteering, I realized how much I enjoyed both the work and the environment. That experience made me want to continue giving back through VITA.
4. You’ve recently passed all three Enrolled Agent exams — congratulations! How does that achievement influence your approach to volunteering?
Passing the Enrolled Agent exams gave me a lot of applicable knowledge for VITA. Especially with Parts 1 and 3, I gained a strong understanding of how individual returns work and the procedures behind them.
5. How do you manage balancing school, professional goals, and volunteering?
A strong calendar really helps me manage my time effectively. It gives me a clear visual of how much time I have each week. VITA sites like Opening Doors for Women In Need and Shadowbrook also offer flexible hours, which makes balancing everything easier.
6. What has been the most rewarding experience as a volunteer so far?
The most rewarding part for me is the knowledge I have gained. I now have a much stronger understanding of individual tax returns, which I know will be valuable in my future career.
8. What skills or lessons have you gained from volunteering that you didn’t expect?
One valuable lesson I learned from Leon, a site coordinator from Opening Doors for Women In Need, is the importance of slowing down. Going box by box and focusing on the details is critical because it is easy to miss small things. In tax work, going slower is often the faster approach.
9. What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for the first time?
I would recommend shadowing experienced preparers and completing the practice questions in TaxSlayer Pro. I also encourage volunteers to pursue the advanced certification. It is not much harder than the basic certification and provides valuable experience with more complex items like Schedule Cs and rollovers.
10. What motivates you to continue giving back despite a busy schedule?
The community motivates me to keep volunteering. I especially enjoy working at Shadowbrook Apartments. I like being there on Mondays, and I appreciate how supportive, knowledgeable and welcoming the people are.
11. How do you see volunteering with VITA shaping your future as a CPA and community leader?
VITA has helped me learn how to communicate more effectively with people. As a future CPA, it is important to understand that not everyone is familiar with tax terminology. Each client is different, and you need to explain their return in a way they understand. That is an important skill for leadership.
12. If you could describe your volunteer experience in one word, what would it be and why?
Diligent. This experience requires being proactive, ethical and thoughtful while handling the responsibility of preparing returns for so many people.
13. What’s one thing about volunteering that might surprise people?
I would encourage anyone, especially students, to volunteer. People might be surprised by how good they can become at it and the potential they discover in themselves.