Tax season can be stressful and confusing, but no need to worry because Dr. Geoffrey Gurka and his tax students are again offering free tax preparation assistance to Mesa State’s students, staff and faculty.
Since the early 1980s, Gurka and his students have assisted around 130 taxpayers. But this year, due to small class size, he expects to assist only 100 taxpayers.
“Over the years we’ve assisted many area taxpayers, and because of our limited openings, they tend to call early,” Gurka said. “This year, I started receiving inquiries in the second week of January, well before anyone had received their W-2 or 1099 tax forms.”
Once a taxpayer’s returns go through Gurka’s students’ quality control checks, such as a Colorado Public Accountant (CPA) review, Gurka and his students discuss the details and results of their efforts, including the amount of refund expected or liability with their client.
They prepare tax returns on the computer and print them, then provide instructions of how to do a mail-in file, as the returns are not done electronically. With the discussion, they often include advice regarding future withholdings and estimated quarterly tax payments.
“As our site is student-run and primarily compliance oriented, we encourage all taxpayers with significant planning issues to seek the advice of a practicing CPA,” Gurka said.
For those interested, Gurka’s students will provide names and contact information that can be helpful in future tax years.
“As of this morning, a little over half of our available taxpayer appointments have been, or are in the process of being scheduled,” Gurka said.
There are still openings, but Gurka encourages contacting him as soon as possible to schedule an appointment by calling 248-1230 or by e-mailing him at ggurka@mesastate.edu. Appointments can be made on Mondays from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The preparations will take place in the VITA room, located on the second floor of the Academic Classroom Building. Taxpayers are asked to not overlook any tax-related documents and to make sure to bring all important documents such as W-2s, 1099s, Social Security cards and vehicle registration cards to their appointment.

blofton@mesastate.edu