Deborah A Doonan
Associate Professor College of Hospitality & Business Department of Business Providence
Biography
Deborah Doonan has been involved with education her entire life — literally, as she is the daughter of an educator.
Doonan’s life interests have allowed her to pursue different forms of teaching prior to joining Johnson & Wales University. She played sports and then became a coach; she was a student and then became a tutor. Doonan studied accounting and fell in love with the subject — especially taxation — and knew she had found what she was meant to teach at the collegiate level.
After a handful of years in public accounting, Doonan was fortunate to achieve her lifelong dream when she was hired to teach accounting and taxes at JWU.
Education
Master of Science in Taxation (MST), Bryant University
Taxation
BS, Providence College
Public Accounting
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Rhode Island Board of Accountancy
2025 Intake/Interview and Quality Review Exam (Basic Level)
Internal Revenue Service, VITA Program
2024 Intake/Interview and Quality Review Exam (Advanced Level) and Site Coordinator
Internal Revenue Service, VITA Program
2023 Intake/Interview and Quality Review Exam (Advanced Level)
Internal Revenue Service, VITA Program
2022 Intake/Interview and Quality Review Exam (Advanced Level)
Internal Revenue Service, VITA Program
Friend of Athletics
Johnson & Wales University
Outstanding Service Award
Johnson & Wales University
Professional Development Award
Johnson & Wales University
Outstanding Service Award
Johnson & Wales University
Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities
Bryant University
“Why you could get a larger refund this tax season.” Doonan, D. (February 24, 2026)
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fturnto10.com%2Fi-team%2Fconsumer-advocate%2Fwhy-you-could-get-a-larger-refund-this-tax-season-changes-standard-deduction-credit-big-beautiful-bill-withholding-table-feb-24-2026&data=05%7C02%7CDeborah.Doonan%40jwu.edu%7Cb8d8bca856f1497a09e008de7a034fbc%7C4a469c1def0d40c6be1a5f603a10cc06%7C1%7C0%7C639082351797058233%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bPQ9cb9MwO%2FKqBHtl8SJYSaWNHTFXXY%2B%2Fjej2WHooQM%3D&reserved=0
“What is Zero-Based Budgeting?.” Doonan, D. (February 9, 2026)
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwallethub.com%2Fedu%2Fb%2Fzero-based-budgeting%2F142818%23expert%3DDeborah_A._Doonan&data=05%7C02%7CDeborah.Doonan%40jwu.edu%7C61a20f9a3ee641c9b47808de67db618d%7C4a469c1def0d40c6be1a5f603a10cc06%7C1%7C0%7C639062389133180317%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pgQ1SVthGxk2hFUXVmixOQNgnfPjEnQKK7S1XFMi1ik%3D&reserved=0
“What changes filers can expect this tax season.” Doonan, D. (February 9, 2026)
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wpri.com%2Fmoney%2Fwhat-changes-filers-can-expect-this-tax-season%2F&data=05%7C02%7CDeborah.Doonan%40jwu.edu%7Caf3580dcacdd44a2998208de68d83a36%7C4a469c1def0d40c6be1a5f603a10cc06%7C1%7C0%7C639063475051701432%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=BYrhLc%2Bx7qPcGtc4%2Fzziubqk1%2FBP8tHly6jpBYjIeIw%3D&reserved=0
“Could Trump’s hiring freeze at IRS impact your return?.” Doonan, D. (January 28, 2025)
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fturnto10.com%2Fi-team%2Fconsumer-advocate%2Fcould-trumps-hiring-freeze-at-irs-impact-your-return-taxes-government-agencies-delays-direct-file-taxpayers-program-january-28-2025&data=05%7C02%7CDeborah.Doonan%40jwu.edu%7C672282fb15e64c6cdcf308dd40a7ccf9%7C4a469c1def0d40c6be1a5f603a10cc06%7C1%7C0%7C638737811614056276%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=QGcq7hUuqDq0qQ7K4gRcOE29O8jnEEzgDMEkw3yYvz4%3D&reserved=0
“IRS announces January 27 as the start of the 2025 tax season.” Doonan, D. (January 28, 2025)
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wpri.com%2Fmoney%2Firs-announces-january-27-as-the-start-of-the-2025-tax-season%2F&data=05%7C02%7CDeborah.Doonan%40jwu.edu%7C672282fb15e64c6cdcf308dd40a7ccf9%7C4a469c1def0d40c6be1a5f603a10cc06%7C1%7C0%7C638737811614075934%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cCZwgR%2FTe4Y1p2ScP8XLbNfhvmzz7WLFhGw3mkxWRyg%3D&reserved=0
“Not Published.” Doonan, D. (September 23, 2024)
“Eliminating taxes on tips? Accounting expert weighs presidential proposals.” Doonan, D. (September 23, 2024)
https://turnto10.com/i-team/consumer-advocate/eliminating-taxes-on-tips-accounting-expert-weighs-presidential-proposals-service-industry-income-benefit-social-security-september-23-2024#:~:text=Eliminating%20taxes%20on%20tips%3F%20Accounting%20expert%20weighs%20presidential%20proposals
“With expanded child tax credit bill in limbo, should you wait to file?.” Doonan, D. (February 1, 2024)
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fturnto10.com%2Fi-team%2Fconsumer-advocate%2Fwith-expanded-child-tax-credit-bill-in-limbo-should-wait-file-decision-returns-money-inflation-refund-law-taxpayers-february-1-2024&data=05%7C02%7CDeborah.Doonan%40jwu.edu%7Cdc4bc396c82e4e82ed5e08dc242b998d%7C4a469c1def0d40c6be1a5f603a10cc06%7C1%7C0%7C638425016866370387%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=TXr5V2WfDijuSxBcmqdBWqbzuWv2lo521CcQR5FrXZ4%3D&reserved=0
“Consumer Alert: You might receive a smaller tax refund this year.” Doonan, D. (January 23, 2023)
https://turnto10.com/i-team/consumer-advocate/federal-tax-filing-season-irs-internal-revenue-service-smaller-refunds-forms-identity-theft-deductions-staffing-covid-19-pandemic-initiatives-january-23-2023
“JWU Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.” Doonan, D. (April 13, 2018)
http://mms.tveyes.com/MediaCenterPlayer.aspx?u=aHR0cDovL21lZGlhY2VudGVyLnR2ZXllcy5jb20vZG93bmxvYWRnYXRld2F5LmFzcHg%2FVXNlcklEPTQzMTcxJk1ESUQ9OTY2ODIwNyZNRFNlZWQ9MjIxMCZUeXBlPU1lZGlh
Rhode Island Association of Accounting Professors
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants
Expertise
Federal income tax law; personal income tax returns; payroll tax returns; sales tax returns; internal revenue service