Well-designed and structured service-learning transforms students from young adults to technically savvy, confident, civically minded, problem-solving professionals. An internal analysis of ten years of student reflection papers on income tax-based service-learning pedagogy at the University of Georgia (UGA) demonstrates its tremendous impact on preparing students for success.

The project team analyzed ten years of student reflection papers from the tax-based service-learning course. In total, 703 student reflection papers were analyzed for major themes to identify the impact that the tax-based service-learning experience had on the students. The findings provide rich evidence of the extraordinary benefits of tax-based service learning on student growth and development.

Five key areas of student growth emerge from the reflection papers:
1. Professional Development and Skill Acquisition;
2. Empathic Awareness and Growth;
3. Civic Engagement and Community Service;
4. Problem-Solving Skill Development and Confidence to Meet Challenges;
5. Refinement of Personal Values and Goals.

First, students report significant growth in their understanding of tax law, tax preparation, and their confidence to handle complex issues. Second, students indicate that working with low-income households facing financial challenges helped them develop critical soft skills, such as empathy and sincere communication. Third, students report that their commitment to community service and civic engagement increases by serving their community. Fourth, no two clients are the same, which challenges students to navigate both new technical and interpersonal dynamics with each client. As a result, students report stronger problem-solving skills and improved professional resiliency. Fifth, students report deeper internalization of, and commitment to, academic, professional, and personal goals, including public service.

Despite these extraordinary pedagogical successes, tax-based service-learning programs are disappearing alarmingly quickly. From 2014 to 2022, the number of programs offering this type of experiential learning decreased by 30 percent, from 248 programs to 185. A tax-based service-learning curriculum is most often found in business schools, but many programs outside of business schools also exist. Tax-based service-learning programs can be found in law, family studies, social work, student services, agriculture, and cooperative extension programs at colleges and universities in the United States. Action should be taken to preserve, strengthen, and expand tax-based service-learning pedagogy at universities to perpetuate the tremendous student learning outcomes into the future.

Keywords: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Service Learning, Experiential Learning.