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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) ProgramFree Income Tax Preparation & E-Filing at PVAMUPrairie View A&M University has joined efforts with the Internal Revenue Service to increase earned income tax credit (EITC) awareness and education. Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, the College of Business at Prairie View A&M University provides free tax preparation for individuals and families, students, senior citizens, and others in Waller County between January and April. The PVAMU VITA site will offer professional quality service on the Prairie View A&M University Campus in the Memorial Student Center and several other locations in Waller County and Houston. VITA Tax Preparation Schedule
VITA Free Tax Preparation Flyer - English & Spanish (click here)
VITA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)What is VITA?
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program provides free tax help to people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Tax preparers at VITA sites have been certified and trained to help prepare basic tax returns. For more information about VITA, visit the IRS website.
I need my refund fast; do I have to mail it in?
The PVAMU VITA site offers free electronic filing. If you prefer to file your return by mail, you can.
What do I need to bring with me?
Clients need to bring the following items with them for service:
A lot of this information is personal; can I be sure that my information will be kept confidential?
All VITA tax preparers are aware of the personal nature of tax information and are committed to strictest confidentiality requirements – the same as CPAs, attorneys, and other tax professionals.
Do I need to make an appointment?
You may contact us to make an appointment if you prefer, but walk-in customers are welcome.
I've never been to PVAMU before, how do I get there?
Prairie View A&M University is located approximately 40 miles northwest of Houston just off US Highway 290. For directions to the campus, click here. The PVAMU VITA site is located in the Memorial Student Center on the first floor. Need additional information? Call (936) 261-9245 or (936) 419-8333 or contact vita@pvamu.edu.
VITA Volunteer Flyer (click here)VITA Volunteer Sign-up Form (click here)Prairie View A&M UniversityCollege of Business & Cooperative Extension ServiceVITA Volunteers
Qualifications Needed: ● Desire to assist others with matters of financial importance ● Ability to work with others to accomplish a goal ● Ability to learn using an online, self-guided study program as well as workshop/lecture instruction ● Willingness to volunteer and meet commitments NOT Needed: ● Accounting or any other college major or life experience ● Prior federal income tax course or knowledge Benefits Received: ● Knowledge of the federal income tax rules sufficient to prepare over 70% of the annual U.S. individual tax returns – Be the “tax person” in your family or circle of friends ● Personal satisfaction in assisting persons with important financial matters ● Community service ● A resume line that demonstrates ability, commitment, community service, leadership ● Learn to use sophisticated tax-preparation software (provided by IRS) ● Gain experience in professional service to clients ● Receive a “Thank You” letter from the I.R.S. – a rare and wondrous thing Volunteer Preparer Requirements: ● Must pass an IRS certification test based on provided training and materials – May re-take exam multiple times to obtain required score ● Must agree to – and meet the commitment to – assist at tax-preparation sessions (usually no more than four hours each) ● Adhere to professional standards for tax preparers Schedule (subject to adjustment): ● Initial training (especially for persons without tax instruction) Dec. 8, 2011 and second training January 21, 2012 ● VITA Tax Season Opening Day – January 30, 2012 ● Last preparation session – April 11, 2012 View the IRS Video with Information for Volunteer Preparers VITA cell – 936-419-8333Email – vita@pvamu.eduThe PVAMU VITA Team is pleased to acknowledge the support and assistance of the following organizations: Korean American Association Pizza Hut Prosperity Bank PVAMU Cooperative Extension Waller ISD WARM (Waller Assistance and Restoration Minitries) Wells Fargo
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