Doing taxes can be confusing, frustrating and even frightening. That’s why the Craig School of Business Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering free tax preparation services to low-income Valley taxpayers through April 16.
A joint project of the Craig School of Business at Fresno State and United Way Fresno and Madera Counties, the annual VITA program provides IRS-certified student volunteers to prepare and file taxes free of charge.
The student volunteers who prepare the returns are all business administration majors studying accountancy or finance. The volunteers are trained by faculty from the Accountancy Department at Fresno State and must pass an IRS certification test to qualify to work on clients’ tax returns. All returns will be checked by two volunteers to minimize errors, and will be electronically filed while the taxpayer is on site to ensure the return is accepted by the IRS.
VITA student volunteers also have up-to-date information on new and sometimes confusing IRS rules that can help save taxpayers money. For example, the IRS just announced that the California Middle Class Tax Refunds that were sent out from November to February are not taxable, even though California issued 1099 forms to most of the taxpayers who received the refund.
VITA tax assistance is available to all taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $60,000. Tax assistance is available now through April 16 in the Peters Business Building (Room 133) from 2 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Walk-ins are accepted, but clients are encouraged to avoid waiting in line and register in advance by calling the United Way hotline at 211 or 1.866.559.4211. Clients are asked to bring the following documents:
- Social Security cards for all taxpayers and dependents who are listed on the tax return.
- Tax forms for all income received in 2022, including W-2 forms, 1099 forms, 1099-R forms, W-2G forms and any other forms showing income.
