Seton Hall University is continuing its partnership with the United Way of Greater Newark and the United Way of Northern New Jersey to provide free tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program this spring. The initiative allows qualifying members of the university community, including faculty, staff, students, administrators, and campus partners such as Gourmet Dining and Allied Universal, to access professional tax return preparation at no cost.
The service will be offered during two on-campus events scheduled for Friday, February 27, 2026, in the University Center Meeting Room and Friday, March 27, 2026, in Bethany Hall BC. Both events will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with appointments strongly encouraged but walk-ins accommodated as space permits.
Students participating in the Tax Lab course from Seton Hall’s Stillman School of Business will prepare tax returns using professional software under IRS certification. The VITA program is integrated into the curriculum of this course to combine academic learning with practical service experience.
“In 2025 alone, our students filed 1,338 tax returns through VITA, helping secure nearly $970,000 in refunds,” said Danielle DiMeglio, C.P.A., M.B.A., senior faculty associate and director of graduate programs in the Department of Accounting and Taxation. “When you factor in the $234,000 saved in tax prep fees, the total value to the community was $1.2 million. It’s incredibly rewarding for students to see how their work makes a real difference — and they gain career-ready experience along the way.”
Miguel Angel Marin Martinez’s involvement stands out among last year’s participants. An undergraduate accounting student originally from Spain who took part in Tax Lab shared his perspective: “I signed up for the Tax Lab during my senior year at Seton Hall. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Miguel shared. “But after completing the IRS certifications and starting my first day volunteering, I realized this was something I wanted to do. I completed three online tax returns that day and found I really enjoyed the work.”
He added: “As the season went on, I began working one-on-one with VITA clients and that’s when I truly understood how impactful this service can be. Helping someone secure a refund they really needed was incredibly rewarding. It inspired me to keep giving back; now I’m continuing that work in my new role with United Way.”
DiMeglio noted: “Because of his participation in the Tax Lab, Miguel was offered a position with United Way after graduation,” she said. “It’s a great example of how this program benefits not just the community but also our students’ professional development.”
Monica Conover from United Way commented on their ongoing collaboration: “This partnership is such a benefit to our communities,” added Monica Conover, associate director, financial stability, United Way of Northern New Jersey. “Our tax clients receive a free quality service and students not only receive real-life experience but also the opportunity to be mentored by volunteers recently retired with accounting backgrounds. We look forward to working with Seton Hall each season.”
Eligible individuals or families within Seton Hall’s community—those earning up to $89,000 per household—can register for one-hour appointments at these events or may attend as walk-ins if space is available.
