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Welcome to the San Diego State University VITA homepage!

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NOTICE:  SDSU VITA is Closed

Under the directive of the SDSU President, SDSU VITA is closed effectively immediately.  We do not anticipate opening again until next year.  This is, of course, very bad news.

 
1. If you are a resident taxpayer there are a number of VITA sites located in San Diego County.  You can find one close to you using this tool: https://irs.treasury. gov/freetaxprep/  I would encourage you to contact the site before visiting to confirm they are going to be open.  Some sites are closing as a result of ongoing health concerns.  Also, if you are a foreign student, the IRS confirmed that no other sites in SD county are currently approved for foreign student tax returns.
 
2.  You can attempt to self-prepare.  If you qualify, there are a number of online free filing options.  Go to https://www.irs.gov/filing/ free-file-do-your-federal- taxes-for-free for a selection of available online options.  If you are a foreign student, there is NOT a free filing option available to you. Turbo Tax or H&R Block and many of the other popular tax prep softwares will NOT work for nonresidents/foreign students.  Nonresidents/foreign students must find a software that prepares nonresident returns.  Two options are Sprint Tax  https://www.sprintax.com/ or Glaicer Tax Prep https://www.glaciertax. com/Spt/Begin  Note that Glacier Tax Prep is $34 but does NOT do state tax returns (no California or any other state).  Sprint Tax does both - the Federal is a flat rate of $38.  The state starts at $30 but the actual rate is determined based on the complexity of the return and the state.  
 
3. I have now worked out a third alternative with a small CPA firm located here in San Diego County and they have agreed to serve FOREIGN STUDENTS Federal and State filings. The price is $99 for one federal and including one state return.  Additional state returns are $26.  Anyone over the VITA income limits ($57,000) will be priced at $350 or up (the ACTUAL going rate for a tax return).   This is very competative with the DIY opportunities mentioned above and with the price you would get at H&R Block, etc..  You will have the added assurance that this firm specializes in foreign students.  If you are interest, please contact Hughes and Szuberla at their website to fill out an intake form.  https://hstaxcpas.com/contact/   Mention the Promo code “STUDENT SDSU” or “STUDENT UCSD” in your message to secure the discounted pricing.
 
 
 
The IRS is expected to extend the filing deadline (April 15) to a later date but has not done so as of the date and time of this posting.
 

 

 

 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is an IRS program designed to assist low income taxpayers (generally people who make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English speaking taxpayers (including non-US residents) who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns) file their tax returns. Volunteers at this location are SDSU students that have been 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 Credit; Child Tax Credit) that could put thousands of dollars back in their hands and into the local economy. SDSU VITA also provides assistance to 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.

For information on having your return prepared at VITA click here US Residents
For information on volunteering for VITA click here Volunteers
For hours and directions to VITA click here Hours and Location

Coordinators

Faculty Advisors: Dr. Steve Gill

IRS Site Advisor: Anna Cabrera

Student Coordinators: 

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).