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Mt. SAC's VITA Program Offering Free Income Tax Assistance

Building 79
By Adriana Jimenez

February 28, 2024 - 10:05 AM

Mt. SAC’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is offering free basic income tax return preparation for qualifying community members. Mt. SAC’s student volunteers are IRS (Internal Revenue Service) certified and are part of the CSU5+ VITA clinic, which is an initiative across multiple Cal State and community college campuses to have students use their credentials and give back to their communities.

This will be Mt. SAC’s seventh year in providing the VITA services, which has shown remarkable growth. In 2023 the VITA program saw an increase in student volunteers and participation with 47 students, which is an increase from the 25 volunteers in the previous year.

Mt. SAC’s VITA clinic stands out from other clinics with a unique training method developed by coordinator and professor of accounting Steven Valdes.

“When I train my volunteers, I try to put them through unique scenarios that will prepare them before they start working at our VITA clinic,” Valdes said. “Whether those are specific communication scenarios or special types of tax returns we see, I hope to give them the skills they can implement in the real world.”

Along with the special scenario training provided at Mt. SAC, volunteers also gain valuable career experience through community engagement, communication, and team building.

In addition to launching student careers, the VITA program benefits the local community as well. The Mt. SAC VITA program prepared over 472 federal and state tax returns in 2023, compared to the 345 returns made in 2022. The VITA program has approximately saved over $60,000 in tax preparation fees for the community within its years of service. Additionally, in 2023 the program generated $463,802 in refunds, an increase of $118,560 from the previous year.

 

Mt. SAC’s VITA program’s hours of operation for 2024 are as follows:

  • Building 79 (BCT) Business and Computer Technology Complex, third floor
  • Saturdays, March 2- April 13
  • Open 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.
  • Walk-ins are welcomed.
  • Visit their website at www.mtsac.edu/vita/ for more information

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