NC S579

Establishes a grant program for North Carolina community colleges to offer courses training students to become certified tax preparers through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Requires participating community colleges to offer a fall curriculum course on basic tax accounting and federal/North Carolina tax return preparation, plus a spring work-based learning course with 15 hours per week of paid tax preparation work from January through April 15.

Designates a faculty champion at each participating college and requires VITA services be offered to all students and community members, targeting individuals earning $57,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers.

Appropriates $755,100 in nonrecurring funds and $570,100 in recurring funds for fiscal year 2021-2022, plus $549,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2022-2023 to the Community Colleges System Office for curriculum development, faculty bonuses, personnel hiring, and student work opportunities.

Appropriates $50,000 in nonrecurring funds and $100,000 in recurring funds for fiscal year 2021-2022 to the Department of Revenue for training and technical assistance; becomes effective July 1, 2021.