SF State VITA program offers help during tax season

What is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program?

VITA is an Internal Revenue Service program that provides free assistance to low-income, elderly, limited English-proficient, and disabled individuals who require assistance in preparing their tax returns and cannot afford the services of a paid professional tax preparer

The SF State VITA program is sponsored by the accounting student organization, Beta Alpha Psi, and offers free tax preparation services to individuals with low incomes who cannot afford the services of a paid professional tax preparer, the elderly, those with limited English proficiency, and individuals with disabilities who require assistance in preparing their tax returns.

With over 200 student volunteers each year, the program provides IRS certified training sessions where students learn about the tax practice and engage themselves in the real world of tax. 

Who are its volunteers?

SF State's VITA site is completely run by SF State students and alumni. All of the volunteers are required to complete a four-day training, pass basic, intermediate, and advance-level tests, and be certified by the IRS as qualified volunteers.

When and where can people seek your help?

Tax preparation services are offered on a drop-in basis only. Services also provided in the following languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, Burmese, Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese. Wheelchair accessible. The free tax preparation service is available to U.S. residents and international students who have either F-1 or J-1 visas with incomes of $53,000 per year or less and no rental income.

Location

Science Building, Room 205
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue

Drop-In Hours from February 2 to April 15, 2015

• Monday through Friday, from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Open during Spring Break (Mar 23 - 28). Closed on Tuesday, March 31, 2015.

What should they bring?

Taxpayers should bring their:

• For married filing joint, both spouses must be present
• All Forms W-2 and 1099
• Information for other income
• Information for all deductions/credits
• A copy of last year’s tax return
• Proof of account for direct deposit of refund
• Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification notices/cards for you, your spouse, and/or dependents
• Proof of identification for yourself and/or your spouse
• Total paid to day care provider and their tax ID number
• Birth dates for you, spouse and or dependents on the return
• Proof of foreign status if applying for ITIN
• Forms 1095-A, B or C (Affordable Health Care Statements)
• For prior year or returns, copies of income transcripts from IRS (and state, if applicable)

Questions?

Phone

(415) 338-1079

Website

http://userwww.sfsu.edu/bap/vita.html

Email

SFSU VITA Coordinator
vitacoord.sfsubap@gmail.com