SFSU Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is a national Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-sponsored, volunteer-based initiative that provides free tax preparation to eligible individuals, including low-income taxpayers, students, the elderly, individuals with limited English proficiency, and those with disabilities, within the VITA scope.

Co-sponsored by the San Francisco State University Accounting Department and the Lam Family College of Business, in partnership with the IRS, University Corporation and United Way Bay Area, the program has supported the local community for nearly 20 years while offering valuable, hands-on learning opportunities for student volunteers.

“VITA helped me strengthen skills in research, problem-solving, and communication. The knowledge and experience gained from VITA were also influential in helping me obtain a tax internship with PricewaterhouseCoopers.”
— Najma Shaean Malik, SFSU Accounting student and VITA volunteer

We offer two filing options:

  1. Traditional In-Person VITA: AGI Limit: $69,000 per year: Meet with IRS-certified volunteers to prepare and review your tax return. 
  2. DIY VITA (Facilitated Self Assistance): AGI Limit: $89,000 per year: Prepare your own tax returns on-site using provided instructions. 
    • Not recommended for complex returns, including those for international students.
    • Bring your own laptop to complete your return on site
    • Bring a voided check with bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit
      (Without direct deposit, refunds may be delayed 4–5 weeks per IRS policy.)

Check VITA Scope (Per IRS Pub 4012)

Important Notice

SFSU VITA is an in-person service only. 

We do not accept tax documents by email, provide tax consulting via email, or prepare tax returns online.

Please direct all VITA-related inquiries only to the official SFSU VITA email address. Do not contact individual volunteers or other departments.

Make an Appointment

Appointments are required and prioritized. Limited walk-in availability may be offered during the first two weeks, subject to site capacity. Please provide at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling.

Prepare For Your Appointment

  • Gather hard copies of all required documents.
  • Electronic documents cannot be printed on site.
  • [Strongly Recommended] Create an IRS ID.me account in advance.
  • Please arrive at least 10 minutes early with all required hard-copy documents.
  • Electronic documents cannot be printed on site.
  • [Recommended] A completed IRS Intake Form (13614-C)
  • Government-issued photo ID for you and your spouse (if married)
  • Social Security cards or ITIN documents for you, your spouse, and dependents
  • Birth dates for you, your spouse, and dependents
  • W-2s, 1099s, and other income records (including self-employment income, if applicable)
  • Additional tax forms such as 1098s, 1095s, and other relevant documents
  • Records supporting deductions and credits (e.g., charitable contributions)
  • Childcare expenses, including total paid and the provider’s Tax ID number
  • Previous year’s federal and state tax returns (recommended)

A voided check with bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit (Without direct deposit, refunds may be delayed 4 – 5 weeks per IRS policy.)

  • We electronically file tax returns using TaxSlayer.
  • You will receive a summary of your return, not the full tax file.
  • Both spouses must be present.
  • If one spouse cannot attend, the other must bring all required documents and either a signed Form 8879 or Power of Attorney (Form 2848).

Appointment length may vary depending on return complexity and required quality reviews. Thank you for your patience!

Additional Information

  • Married Filing Separately
  • Education credits with adjustments (1098-T Boxes 4 or 6; Kiddie Tax)
  • Cryptocurrency or other digital asset transactions (including Form 1099-DA)
  • Self-employment with a net loss, depreciation, home office, inventory, itemized vehicle expenses, or business expenses over $50,000
  • Combination of self-employment income and a Form 1095-A.
  • Itemized disaster or theft losses
  • Multi-state income or returns, or rental income
  • Cancellation of debt with insolvency or bankruptcy (Form 1099-C)
  • Clean energy / Clean vehicle credits (Form 8936, including used EV credit)
  • Non-cash charitable donations over $500
  • Certain retirement distributions (Form 1099-R Box 7 codes: 5, 8, 9, A, E, J, K, N, P, R, T, U)
  • Filing status: Single or MFS only (MFJ out of scope)
  • Residency: Generally nonresident (F-1/J-1 students: 5 years; J-1 scholars: 2 years)
  • Bring ID: Passport, visa, I-94, I-20 or DS-2019, SSN/ITIN
  • Income forms: W-2, 1042-S, 1099-INT/DIV (as applicable)
  • Education: 1098-T and required books/supplies (if applicable)
  • Refund: Voided check with bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit; otherwise, refunds may be delayed 4–5 weeks per IRS policy.
  • Do not file: If scholarship received but 1042-S not yet issued

Visit the United Way Bay Area website for alternative free tax resources.

SFSU community members are encouraged to connect with the SFSU Basic Needs Center for available services and support.

"The power of SFSU's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is twofold: One, valuable work and service experience for students, and two, the VITA program gives back to the community in meaningful ways by generating $1 million in tax refunds to those who need it."
— Katie Hetherington, J.D., Associate Professor of Accounting at the Lam Family College of Business

 

Contact

The door to the VITA Office in the Creative Arts building

Weekdays: VITA Office at SFSU Campus

SFSU Creative Arts Building, Room 134 (next to J. Paul Leonard Library), 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco

The VITA office in the SF Veterans Medical Center

Saturdays: VITA Office at SF Veterans Medical Center

Auditorium (Building 7) at SF Veterans Medical Center, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco. Enter through the Emergency Department entrance and follow signs to Building 7 on the first floor (not ground level), which is accessible by elevator or stairs. Use Muni (38 line). If driving, visitor parking is available at Lot 209 (Pelican) or Lot 211 (Cypress) or use street parking.