CSU, Chico Offers Annual Free Volunteer Tax-Preparation Services for Qualifying Community Members
VITA Site Coordinator Cheyne Thompson (center) helps Jim Renlunt (left) and Inez Francis (right) with their tax forms at the Chico Area Recreation Center on Monday, March 7, 2016 in Chico, Calif. The Beta Alpha Psi, an honorary organization for financial information students and professionals, has once again partnered with the International Revenue Service to provide free tax-preparation services. (Jason Halley/University Photographer)
Tax season is upon us—and California State University, Chico students are once again volunteering to provide free tax preparation for qualifying community members.
For the ninth straight year, University students will volunteer their time to prepare and electronically file the returns for free in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
The free tax-preparation services are available through April 4 for those who earned $56,000 or less in 2019.
VITA director Leilani Gigena reported that 92 VITA volunteers prepared federal and state tax returns for 952 people during the 2019 tax season, putting approximately $900,000 back into residents’ pockets and saving them more than $250,000 in tax-preparation services.
“We’re excited to support the members of our community, while giving our students this valuable learning opportunity,” Gigena said. “Serving the North State in this capacity reflects the University’s strategic priority of Civic and Global Engagement—and we’re happy to connect with our community in this way.”
Those interested in the service are urged to bring:
- A copy of their 2019 tax return
- Social Security or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number cards for the entire family
- Photo identification
- Wages and earnings statements (including W-2, 1099 and/or 1098-T forms)
- Documentation for deductions and credits
- Child care documentation, including provider identification number and amount paid
- A voided check for direct deposit of refund
Tax-preparation services will be available at the following dates, time and locations:
Bell Memorial Union, Room 312, CSU, Chico
Mondays, 4 to 8 p.m.
Wednesdays, 4 to 8 p.m. (closed February 12)
Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD) Community Center, 545 Vallombrosa Ave., Chico
Mondays, noon to 4 p.m.
Wednesdays, noon to 4 p.m.
Dorothy F. Johnson Center, 775 East 16th Street
Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m.
Additionally, tax-preparation services at all locations will be closed March 16-24 due to spring break.
VITA trains volunteers to provide tax-preparation services, and volunteers include accounting majors and students from other disciplines. All volunteers must pass tax exams at several levels, including Standards of Conduct, Intake/Quality Review and Advanced Tax exams. If you are interested in volunteering, please email the student organization at csuc.bap.vita@gmail.com. Information on additional VITA sites and times is available at www.buttecaa.com or by calling 530-712-2600.
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