Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program prepares student volunteers to provide free tax-filing services for low-income community members throughout the Bay Area. Berkeley VITA is a student-led UC Berkeley Public Service Center program that trains and connects student volunteers with tax sites geared towards low-income communities throughout the Bay Area. FOR INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN RECEIVING TAX-FILING SERVICES: Berkeley VITA itself does not host tax filing services, but rather trains volunteers to prepare tax returns so that they may serve at local tax sites. Those who are interested in free tax filing services are welcome to check out the following links to locate and schedule an appointment at their nearest site: United Way Bay Area: <a href="https://uwba.org/tax-help/IRS">uwba.org</a> tax help website: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/find-a-location-for-free-tax-prepUC">www.irs.gov</a> Berkeley site @ the ASUC Legal Clinic: <a href="https://www.asucslcberkeley.org/appointments.html">www.asucslcberkeley.org</a> FOR INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING: The VITA program consists of two parts: 1) Fall: Weekly 2-unit DeCal designed to prepare students to take and successfully pass the IRS-sponsored Basic Certification Test in late November. The DeCal incorporates readings and discussions about poverty, income inequality, and the public policies surrounding these issues. Training materials, including official IRS publications and software tutorials, will be provided to students for free. 2) Spring: Students begin volunteer work at one of the local sites with partnering organizations in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, or a virtual site, and continue until the end of the tax season (April). Students can receive 2 additional units for their volunteer work and apply to become a Site Leader. No previous experience or knowledge of taxes is required! Berkeley VITA is a YEAR-LONG commitment! Applications are released shortly after the start of the fall semester! Email us if you have any questions. Learn more about VITA through our Linktree: <a href="https://linktr.ee/ucberkeleyvita">linktr.ee</a>