SFSU Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

SFSU VITA is an IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program that provides free tax preparation services to eligible individuals, including low-income taxpayers, students, older adults, individuals with limited English proficiency, and people with disabilities. Co-sponsored by the SF State Accounting Department and the Lam Family College of Business, in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), University Corporation, and United Way Bay Area, the program has supported the local community for nearly 20 years while offering valuable, hands-on learning opportunities for student volunteers.

“VITA helped me strengthen skills in research, problem-solving, and communication. The knowledge and experience gained from VITA were also influential in helping me obtain a tax internship with PricewaterhouseCoopers.”- Najma Shaean Malik, SF State Accounting student and VITA volunteer

"The power of SF State's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is twofold: One, valuable work and service experience for students, and two, the VITA program gives back to the community in meaningful ways by generating $1 million in tax refunds to those who need it."  - Katie Hetherington, J.D., Associate Professor of Accounting at the Lam Family College of Business.

2025 Tax Filing Options

[Strongly Recommended] Create an IRS ID.me account in advance: https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/articles/202673924-Creating-your-ID-me-account

Traditional In-Person VITA: AGI Limit: $69,000 per year: Meet with IRS-certified volunteers to prepare and review your tax return. 

DIY VITA (Facilitated Self Assistance): AGI Limit: $89,000 per year: Prepare your own tax returns on-site using provided instructions. 

• Not recommended for complex returns, including those for international students.
• Bring your own laptop to complete your return on site
• Bring a voided check with bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit
  (Without direct deposit, refunds may be delayed 4–5 weeks per IRS policy.)

Make an Appointment: https://calendly.com/sfsuvita

Appointments are required and prioritized. Limited walk-in availability may be offered during the first two weeks, subject to site capacity.
Please provide at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling.

VITA CHECKLIST: International Students & Scholars F-1 and J-1 Visa Holders
•    Filing status: Single or MFS only (MFJ out of scope)
•    Residency: Generally nonresident (F-1/J-1 students: 5 years; J-1 scholars: 2 years)
•    Bring ID: Passport, visa, I-94, I-20 or DS-2019, SSN/ITIN
•    Income forms: W-2, 1042-S, 1099-INT/DIV (as applicable)
•    Education: 1098-T and required books/supplies (if applicable)
•    Refund: Voided check with bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit; otherwise, refunds may be delayed 4–5 weeks per IRS policy.
•    Do not file: If scholarship received but 1042-S not yet issued
 

Check VITA Scope (Per IRS Pub 4012): https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3676bsp.pdf

Returns are out of scope if they include:

• Married Filing Separately
• Education credits with adjustments (1098-T Boxes 4 or 6; Kiddie Tax)
• Cryptocurrency or other digital asset transactions (including Form 1099-DA)
• Self-employment with a net loss, depreciation, home office, inventory, itemized vehicle expenses, or business expenses over $50,000
• Combination of self-employment income and a Form 1095-A.
• Itemized disaster or theft losses
• Multi-state income or returns, or rental income
• Cancellation of debt with insolvency or bankruptcy (Form 1099-C)
• Clean Energy / Clean Vehicle credits or non-cash charitable donations over $500
• Certain retirement distributions (Form 1099-R Box 7 codes: 5, 8, 9, A, E, J, K, N, P, R, T, U)