Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

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 $67,000 or less), persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English speaking taxpayers (including non-U.S. residents) prepare and file their tax returns.

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. SDSU VITA primarily aids SDSU non-resident foreign students and scholars with their income 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.

Coordinators

Faculty Advisors: Lin Wang

Site Coordinator: Doug Kelley

IRS Site Advisor: Jim Moran

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

Hours of Operation

SDSU VITA will maintain its virtual operations for spring 2026, preparing tax returns for the 2025 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.

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

We will provide NO WALK-IN APPOINTMENTS during spring 2026. 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.

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/.

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

  • Feb 20: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (limited appointments on this date)
  • Feb 27: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Mar 6: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Mar 13: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Mar 20: Closed
  • Mar 27: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Apr 3: Closed, Spring Break
  • Apr 10: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Apr 17: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Non-Resident Foreign Students and Scholars

Defining Non-Resident Foreign Students and Scholars

Any U.S. citizen or green card holder is automatically a U.S. tax resident. If you are a foreign student/scholar and not sure whether you qualify as a resident or non-resident, you can use this residency flow chart to determine your status.

If you determine you are a non-resident alien for U.S. tax purposes, you may be subject to the substantial presence test (SPT). Use this SPT Exemption Flowchart to determine your SPT status.

Required Items:

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.

Below is a list of items that are required to prepare your tax return. Please keep in mind that your situation may not require the issuance of all the common tax forms listed below. For example, if you did not have a brokerage account, you would not be issued a Consolidated 1099.

For any applicable tax forms, you will need to have them in electronic format and be able to provide them to your tax preparer electronically, during your appointment.

All Clients:

  • Form 13614NR: completed prior to your appointment
  • Form 14446: completed and signed prior to your appointment
  • Valid photo identification such as a passport, required for all individuals listed on your tax return (most non-residents file single with no dependents)
  • Social Security card
  • Proof of Tax Residence status for all individuals listed on your tax return (Form 6166, for example)
  • Bank routing number and account numbers for direct deposit

Common Tax Forms (not applicable to all clients):

  • Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement: from all employers
  • Form 1042-S Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding
  • Form 1099 (INT, DIV, Consolidated): interest and dividends statement from your banks. A consolidated 1099 is typically issued from a brokerage (Fidelity, eTrade, Robinhood, etc.)
  • 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