Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) students are providing free income tax preparation services through April 9. This initiative is part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which is supported by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The program is designed to assist individuals with an income of $67,000 or less, including students, seniors, nonresidents, and those with limited English proficiency.
The VITA program at CSULB is conducted by about five dozen students who are IRS-certified and have undergone extensive training, including passing multiple exams. According to Sudha Krishnan, the accountancy department chair and faculty supervisor, these students are well-prepared to handle various tax scenarios and deductions. “These guys have to be experts,” Krishnan said.
Clients can choose to receive assistance in person at the College of Business, Room 243, or online. Some prefer to sit alongside the volunteers, while others drop off their documents and return later to collect their completed returns. The service is available Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The program will be closed for Spring Break from March 31 to April 6.
Volunteers like Marvin Madamba and Sara Nava are part of the team ensuring clients receive accurate and timely tax returns. Madamba, a senior accounting major, explained that the goal is to minimize the time clients spend on their taxes. Nava, a first-time volunteer, appreciates the support of experienced reviewers and noted that many clients are pleasantly surprised by their refunds.
The program also emphasizes data security, providing Chromebooks and lab computers for filing returns. All returns are deleted nightly, and documents are shredded to maintain confidentiality. Krishnan highlighted the importance of this experiential learning for students, which also helps them develop soft skills necessary for their future careers.
For more information or to make an appointment, clients can contact Anne Guzman, the VITA Coordinator, via email at vita.csulb@gmail.com or by phone at (213) 769-6336. The service has already helped secure over $1.2 million in tax refunds last season, demonstrating its effectiveness and importance to the community.
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