VITA U Conference 2027

VITA in a Changing Tax Environment: Technology, Trust, and Taxpayer Service

The VITA U Conference brings together faculty, students, government agencies, VITA/TCE and LITC programs, nonprofit and community organizations, tax professionals, and other partners to share ideas, research, and effective practices in taxpayer assistance. The 2027 conference will explore how VITA and related taxpayer-assistance programs are evolving in a changing tax environment, with particular attention to taxpayer access and protection, technology, education and training, community partnerships, student development, and the future of VITA.

Hosted by the SFSU VITA Program, part of the Lam Family College of Business Community Engagement initiative, the 2027 tax season will mark the 20th anniversary of SFSU VITA.

Conference Details
Dates: Wednesday–Friday, May 19–21, 2027
Venue: Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco
Address: 555 North Point Street, San Francisco, CA 94133

Nina E. Olson
Executive Director, Center for Taxpayer Rights

Keynote Address
“The Morning After … What Happens to Taxpayers After the Return Is Prepared and How VITAs Can Help”

A nationally recognized leader in taxpayer rights and tax administration, Nina E. Olson brings decades of experience advocating for taxpayers and strengthening the tax system.

The VITA U Conference 2027 invites research and scholarship, educational and practice sessions, and panel proposals from universities, government agencies, VITA/TCE and LITC programs, nonprofit and community organizations, tax professionals, students, and other partners engaged in taxpayer assistance. Submissions may address VITA/TCE and LITC programs, university and college-based models, taxpayer access and protection, technology, education and training, quality review, program operations and partnerships, sustainability, and related topics. All presenters are expected to participate in person.

Submit your work via the Sched portal.

Conference Topics
•    VITA Program Operations and Sustainability
•    VITA and Taxpayer Assistance Around the World
•    Technology, AI, Ethics, and Taxpayer Protection
•    Collaborative and Innovative Taxpayer Service Models
•    Serving Diverse Taxpayer Communities
•    State and Federal Tax Administration
•    Student Learning, Leadership, and Workforce Development
•    Research, Impact, and the Future of VITA U

Submission Categories

Research & Scholarship
Research on VITA/TCE and LITC programs, taxpayer assistance, university and college-based models, education, technology, partnerships, program effectiveness, and related topics. Extended abstract of up to 2,000 words.

Educational / Practice Sessions
Practical approaches and experiences related to VITA courses, volunteer training, quality review, outreach, site operations, technology, student leadership, partnerships, and program sustainability. Session description of up to 1,000 words.

Panel Proposals
Focused discussions bringing together different perspectives, organizations, or program models related to VITA and taxpayer assistance. Panel abstract of up to 1,000 words, including proposed panelists and their roles.

Submissions will be peer reviewed by reviewers with relevant academic, professional, VITA/TCE and LITC, government, nonprofit, or community experience. Reviews will be conducted on a rolling basis as submissions are received.

•  Call for Participation Opens: October 1, 2026
•  Submission Deadline: January 15, 2027 
•  Acceptance Notifications: Rolling basis, by January 22, 2027 
•  Early Registration: Through January 31, 2027 
•  Regular Registration: February 1–April 30, 2027 
•  Hotel Booking Deadline: April 19, 2027, 11:59 p.m. PT

Register for VITA U 2027

Conference registration is separate from the submission process. All presenters and attendees must register through the official VITA U Conference registration page. 

•  Early Registration — $300: Through January 31, 2027 
•  Regular Registration — $350: February 1–April 30, 2027 
•  Student Registration — $150: Currently enrolled college or university students age 18 and older; school name and current school email required. Additional proof of enrollment may be requested. 

A conference room block is available at Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco, subject to availability. Booking deadline: April 19, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Nearby hotels are listed for convenience; conference rates or room blocks are not guaranteed.

•    Holiday Inn Express & Suites San Francisco Fishermans Wharf by IHG — 550 North Point Street
•    Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf — 425 North Point Street
•    Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf — 580 Beach Street
•    San Francisco Marriott Fisherman's Wharf — 1250 Columbus Avenue

Make an Impact Through Sponsorship and Giving

The VITA U Conference welcomes sponsors and supporters committed to strengthening Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITC), and other taxpayer assistance programs. Your support helps expand student learning and leadership, advance community-engaged research, and strengthen taxpayer service through collaboration across universities, government, nonprofits, and the tax profession. 

Sponsor VITA U Conference 2027

Make an Individual Contribution

Give to the SFSU VITA Program

For sponsorship questions or invoice, check, or ACH payments, contact vitauconference@sfsu.edu or inaeyang@sfsu.edu.