Volunteer Income Tax Assistant

Welcome to San Diego State University VITA

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is an IRS program designed to assist low income taxpayers (generally people who earn $60,000 or less), persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English speaking taxpayers (including non-U.S. residents) prepare and file their tax returns. Volunteers at this location are SDSU students trained and certified by the IRS to prepare federal and California state income tax returns free of charge.

Mission

The mission of SDSU VITA is to improve the lives of the campus community by providing free tax assistance in partnership with the IRS. Many students and other community members do not have access to affordable tax preparation services or are unaware of tax programs (e.g., Earned Income Tax Credit, Education Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit) that could put thousands of dollars back in their hands and into the local economy. SDSU VITA primarily aids SDSU international students with their non-resident income tax compliance. International students often need special assistance to navigate this unfamiliar and complex area of tax law.

Coordinators

Faculty Advisors: Lin Wang

Student Coordinator: Doug Kelley

IRS Site Advisor: Franco Osvaldo & Annette Barcelo

Student Coordinators: Chris, Donenika and Erika

Email: [email protected]

Mailing Address:
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Charles W. Lamden School of Accountancy
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-8221

Please note: The information covered on our web site is not intended as tax advice nor should it be construed as tax advice. SDSU volunteers are not professional tax advisors and cannot give tax advice. For tax advice assistance, contact a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Attorney, or Enrolled Agent (EA).

Hours of Operation

If you have an issue with a tax return that was prepared by SDSU VITA, please send an email to [email protected].

SDSU VITA will maintain its virtual operations for Spring 2024, preparing tax returns for the 2023 calendar year. Do not come to campus to have your tax return prepared.

WE WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTING APPOINTMENTS FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS. Our scheduling system will open February 1 so you can reserve a virtual appointment with SDSU VITA.

Our domestic clients are encouraged to seek out one of the other VITA sites that operate in San Diego County. The IRS maintains a list of operating VITA sites here: https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/

 Appointments will be available on a first-come first-serve basis on the following dates:

  • Feb 17: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (limited appointments on this date)
  • Feb 24: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Mar 2: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Mar 9: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Mar 16: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Mar 23: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • March 30: Closed, Spring Break
  • Apr 6:  Closed, Spring Break
  • Apr 13: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

To ensure we can prepare your return, please book an appointment on the Foreign Student page. We will provide NO WALK-IN APPOINTMENTS during spring 2024. Taxpayers are asked to not come to the SDSU campus to have taxes prepared under any circumstances as we are unable to serve you in this manner.

Please note: The information covered on our web site is not intended as tax advice nor should it be construed as tax advice. SDSU volunteers are not professional tax advisers and cannot give tax advice. For tax advice assistance, contact a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Attorney, or Enrolled Agent (EA).

U.S. Residents

SDSU VITA is unable to prepare and process income tax returns for US tax residents in 2024. As the only VITA site in San Diego County with volunteers trained on foreign student tax returns, we continue our focus on serving these clients.

If you are a resident taxpayer there are several VITA sites located in San Diego County that can prepare your tax return, found using this tool: https://irs.treasury. gov/freetaxprep/. I would encourage you to contact the site before visiting to confirm their procedures and hours of operations.

Please note: The information covered on our web site is not intended as tax advice nor should it be construed as tax advice. SDSU volunteers are not professional tax advisors and cannot give tax advice. For tax advice assistance, contact a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Attorney, or Enrolled Agent (EA).

Foreign Students

Foreign Students – Taxes

Any U.S. citizen or green card holder is automatically a US tax resident. In 2024, we will not prepare resident tax returns at SDSU VITA. See our U.S. residents page for information on other VITA sites in San Diego.

If you are a foreign student and not sure whether you qualify as a resident or non-resident, you can use the SPT Flowchart to determine if you are exempt from the substantial presence test (SPT).  

If you determine you are subject to the substantial presence test, you are NOT automatically a resident. Use this SPT Exemption Flowchart to determine if you are a resident under the SPT. If you are a resident, go to the Resident page for more information.

SDSU will only prepare only foreign student tax returns during spring 2024.

Operating Virtually

SDSU VITA will maintain its virtual operations for Spring 2024, preparing tax returns for the 2023 calendar year. Do not come to campus to have your tax return prepared. You should allow for at least 90 minutes to have your tax return prepared and filed. Returns will be prepared by appointment only (see link below). It is imperative that you come to your virtual appointment prepared. Taxpayers that are not prepared will be asked to book a new appointment with the understanding that future appointments may not be available. Please pay careful attention to the items below under Required items.  

Required items:

Please download and complete Form 13614NR. You must have a completed and saved Client Intake Form. This form is essential for the preparation of your tax return. You must have it at the start of your appointment, or you will be asked to reschedule. Please review the following IRS Publications prior to booking an appointment: Publication 4053 & Publication 4836.

  • A Completed Client Intake Form Form 13614NR
  • A Signed and Completed Consent to Complete Return Virtually Form 14446
  • Must bring valid photo identification such as a passport FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS LISTED ON YOUR TAX RETURN. Most non-residents do not file jointly.
  • Social Security Card
  • Proof of Tax Residence status for you, your spouse, and all dependents, if applicable
  • Birth dates for primary, secondary, and dependents on the tax return
  • Form 1042-S Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding, if applicable. Please try and prepare an electronic version of your Form 1042-S (e.g., pdf file) so you can transmit that form to us during your appointment. 
  • Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement from all employers, if applicable. Please try and prepare an electronic version of your W-2 (e.g., pdf file) so you can transmit that form to us during your appointment.
  • Interest and dividend statements from your banks (Form 1099)
  • Bank routing number and account number for Direct Deposit (your bank checkbook)
  • A copy of last year's Federal and State tax returns, if available
  • Records to substantiate any other item that you wish to include on your tax return
  • Please note that ANY tax return involving virtual currency such as Bitcoin and Ethereum cannot be prepared at SDSU VITA.

To book an appointment:

Schedule Now

Please note: The information covered on our web site is not intended as tax advice nor should it be construed as tax advice. SDSU volunteers are not professional tax advisors and cannot give tax advice. For tax advice assistance, contact a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Attorney, or Enrolled Agent (EA).

Why Become a Volunteer?

    Why become a VITA volunteer?

    Simple, to make a difference. As a VITA volunteer, you can help people in your community to prepare taxes free of charge, primarily foreign students that also attend a local San Diego university. You also receive hands-on experience preparing tax returns, applying what you learn in classes, and gaining customer service skills.

    Interested? Volunteer at SDSU 

    To serve as an SDSU VITA Volunteer, you must register for ACCTG 409, a Credit/No Credit course associated with VITA. Accounting major students are eligible for up to 3 units of ACCTG 409 but note that each unit requires approximately two hours of volunteer time. We recommend that volunteers should have already completed or be concurrently enrolled in one of the following three accounting courses:  ACCTG 325, ACCTG 332, or ACCTG 503. You must be prepared to attend the in-class training sessions that occur prior to the opening of the VITA site, and you are required to pass the IRS exams to be a VITA volunteer. SDSU VITA requires that you pass the Volunteer Standards of Conduct, Intake/Interview and Quality Review, Basic, Advanced, and Foreign Student exams prior to preparing any tax returns. Failure to complete these exams by the due date will result in a grade of No Credit.

    SDSU VITA will operate in a hybrid format. Students will be required to come to campus and use on-campus computer equipment. Student protocols for attending in-person classes must be followed. Traditionally, SDSU VITA has been held in the Love Library.

    Each unit of ACCTG 409 requires that you work at the SDSU VITA site for an approximate two-hour block. SDSU VITA will continue to operate on Saturday from 10:30AM – 3:30PM.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    30-90 minutes although the time will vary depending the complexity of your return and the number of people having their tax returns prepared that day.
    Yes, you must schedule an appointment on the Foreign Students page. In 2024, we are not preparing resident tax return at SDSU VITA.
     
    For more information, please see the Foreign Students page.
    We are operating virtually in 2024 and do not have a physical location to visit. Please ensure your internet connection can support the tax filing process. We recommend that you do not use a mobile device for this process.
    You must complete Form 13614-NR and Form 14446. These forms are available on the Foreign Students page, along with a list of forms that you may have received (list is not all inclusive). Please have an electronic copy of these forms so they can be transmitted to us during preparation.

    Please note: The information covered on our web site is not intended as tax advice nor should it be construed as tax advice. SDSU volunteers are not professional tax advisors and cannot give tax advice. For tax advice assistance, contact a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Attorney, or Enrolled Agent (EA).

    Mailing Address

    Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Charles W. Lamden School of Accountancy

    San Diego State University
    5500 Campanile Drive
    San Diego, CA 92182

    Stay In Touch

    SDSU VITA is sponsored by Lindsey and Brownell, LLP, a premier tax and accounting services firm for Individuals, Closely Held Businesses, Estates & Trusts, and Non-Profit Organizations