Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
The Seidman College School of Accounting participates in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The VITA program’s mission is to provide free basic tax return preparation for low-to-moderate income and elderly taxpayers.
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, the program is administered by the Kent County Tax Credit Coalition (KCTCC), a program of the Heart of West Michigan United Way agency. The School of Accounting partners with KCTCC to operate a VITA site at the GVSU Pew Campus.
Who Staffs VITA?
The Seidman site is staffed by student volunteers who are provided a training program by the IRS. Volunteers receive valuable, hands-on tax preparation experience under the supervision of tax faculty and volunteers who have extensive experience in tax return preparation.
When is VITA Offered?
The program is open Saturdays during the tax season.
Dates: February 1 - April 12 (Closed March 8)
Times: First Appointment at 10:00 a.m. and Last Appointment at 2:30 p.m. (finish by 4pm)
Volunteers commit to spending at least one Saturday during that time period meeting with taxpayers and preparing returns. Experienced volunteers are assigned to review returns prepared by volunteers.
How do I Participate?
People interested in having their tax returns prepared by the GVSU VITA program should contact the United Way at 211.
Students interested in volunteering for the VITA program should complete this FORM.
Contact
For more information, please contact Jonathan Brignall at [email protected].