Free Tax Return Preparation Services Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program

Author: LFCoB
January 12, 2024

It’s tax season again—time to file federal and state income tax returns to get your refund. Free tax return preparation services are now available on the SF State campus through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to low-income individuals, students (including international students on F or J visas), and elderly, disabled, and limited-English proficient individuals.

The SF State VITA site is sponsored by the Lam Family College of Business (LFCoB), the Beta Alpha Psi student organization, and the United Way of Bay Area (UWBA).

Qualified taxpayers have the option to get in-person tax filing support from IRS-certified volunteers:

  • In-Person VITA:  available to those earning less than $70,000 per year.
  • DIY VITA (do your taxes yourself on site with assistance from volunteers):  available to those earning less than $79,000 per year.

Please note that VITA cannot prepare tax returns for those who fall within the following categories:

  1. Whose income is above the income limit per year;
  2. Are married and filing separately; or
  3. Are self-employed with business expenses greater than $10,000.

Make an Appointment

All services are by appointment only.

Make an appointment at: https://go.oncehub.com/SFState

Please provide 24-hour advance notice for cancellations or rescheduling requests.

Please bring the following documentation to prepare a tax return:

  • For married filing jointly, both spouses must be present.
  • Photo ID, Social Security Card or ITIN for each person on your tax return
  • All forms of income (W2s, 1099s, self-employment work, etc.)
  • Other tax forms (1098s, 1095s, etc)
  • Information for all deductions (including charitable contributions) and credits
  • Total paid to daycare providers and their tax ID numbers
  • Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit refund

VITA Location 

Creative Arts Building - Room 116
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132

Dates of Operation

The VITA site is open from Tuesday, January 30, 2024 through Friday, April 12, 2024.
Closed during Spring Break from March 26–29, 2024.

Hours of Operation

  • Tuesdays:  9 a.m.–noon; and 12:30–6:30 p.m.
  • Wednesdays:  12:30–6:30 p.m.
  • Thursdays:  9 a.m.–noon; and 12:30–6:30 p.m.
  • Fridays:  9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment and bring the required documents to complete the intake form. 

Questions?  Contact VITA program coordinators:

Email: vitacoord.sfsubap@gmail.com

Phone: (415) 338-1079 (only available during VITA hours of operation)

For more information, visit:  https://sfsubap.org/vita.html

VITA Faculty Advisor: Lena Yang, inaeyang@sfsu.edu