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Abby Bourgeois Was The Coordinator Of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program In University Of Florida Levin College Of Law. Vita Helps Citizens With Financial Difficulties In Preparing Taxes. In Undergraduate Study She Got Real Estate License And Opened Her Own Business Abbco Realty.
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STUDENT PROFILE
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Abby Bourgeois: Coordinator of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) at the University of Florida Levin College of Law[By Heather Jung]
Whenever tax season rolls around, the stress level of most Americans skyrockets. People spend weeks filling out the correct forms,
worrying about exemptions, and trying to get back as much money as possible on their tax returns, all the while trying to ensure
they do not receive the dreaded IRS tax audit. While many middle- and upper-class citizens choose to utilize tax accountants,
those with lower incomes may find these services outside of their means. Students at the University of Florida Levin College of
Law annually host the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) in order to help those citizens with financial difficulties
prepare their taxes. Abby Bourgeois, a 3L at Levin, has helped with the program since her first year and is serving as a coordinator
for this year’s program.
“Tax time is a particularly stressful time for
many people,” Bourgeois said. “VITA helps
relieve that stress, providing a free resource
for taxpayers who are confused by the process
or can’t afford a paid tax preparer.”
According to Bourgeois, her favorite class
thus far has been the two-part Bankruptcy
course, which gave her the chance to meet
with Bankruptcy Judges and Practitioners
throughout Florida.
“The course focused on real world application
and each session required the class to read a
set of facts and discuss the issues/resolution
with the visiting lecturer. Learning from
such experienced and respected judges
and practitioners was an irreplaceable
experience,” Bourgeois said.
As an undergraduate, Bourgeois graduated
from the University of Florida Warrington
College of Business with a degree in Finance
in 2004. She says that she enjoys the study
of law because she has always “been curious
about the way things work.”
“Law school provides an inside view of what
happens behind the scenes, beyond what is
available in newspaper articles or simple
observation,” she said.
During her undergraduate studies, she received
her real estate license and opened her own
business, Abbco Realty, Inc. After graduating
from law school, she plans to join the Phelps
Dunbar firm in their Transactional Real Estate
and Business group in Tampa, where she
recently purchased a house. Bourgeois interned
as a clerk for the firm, an experience she feels
was invaluable because it gave her experience
in a variety of practical areas.
According to Bourgeois, her favorite part of
law school has been the relationships she has
formed with her peers. She considers her
peers to be the ones who have influenced her
the most during her time at law school.
“The people I met in law school have such
diverse interests and backgrounds. Learning
from them has been the most rewarding and
influential part of law school,” Bourgeois said.
On the net
University of Florida Levin College of Law
www.law.ufl.edu
VITA
www.irs.gov/individuals/article/
0,,id=�07626,00.html.
Phelps Dunbar
www.phelpsdunbar.com/home_flash.html Q. What do you do for fun? A. Camping, boating, and anything outdoors.
Q. What CD is in your CD player right now? A. A mix CD.
Q. What is the last magazine you read? A. Time.
Q. What is your favorite tV show? A. Anything on the Food Network!
Q. Who is your role model? A. My parents.
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