CSULB Tax Assistance
College of Business students from California State University, Long Beach, are providing free in-person tax preparation assistance to families who make $58,000 or less, low-income students, elderly, non-residents and individuals with limited English proficiency.
All volunteer students are certified by the IRS.
The free service is part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance clinic (VITA), an IRS-sponsored program. Last year student-volunteers filed state and federal tax returns during virtual interviews that resulted in more than $700,000 in refunds.
“VITA is win-win for our students and the community,” said Professor Sudha Krishnan, faculty advisor for VITA. “The students get hands-on experience while also helping those in the community who often do not have the disposable income to pay for a professional tax preparer.”
The service offers both walkin and drop-off services, and no appointment is necessary. All VITA clients must complete a COVID-19 pre-screening form before coming to campus and must receive a green checkmark. Walk-ins and those dropping off documents should go to room 243 in the College of Business Building.
The hours of service are Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
A special in-person Tax Day will be held March 12 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. that will also include assistance for clients with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number instead of a Social Security number.
Participants must have the following original documents:
• Government-issued photo ID or driver’s license.
• Original Social Security card or documents of individual taxpayer identification number.
• All W-2s and 1099s (if any).
• Other income and expense information.
• Total tuition fees and expenses paid (form 1098-T).
• Total expenses paid for child’s daycare, if any.
• Daycare or dependent care provider’s address, phone number and SSN or EIN.
• Bank account and routing number for direct deposit of refund.
• Last year’s tax return is helpful, but not required.
• To file taxes electronically for a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
For more information, contact VITA coordinator Nguyet Ngo at vita.csulb@gmail.com or (562) 726-2331.
