YSU’s VITA program continues to assist local taxpayers

The Youngstown State University Lariccia School of Accounting and Finance will serve as a site for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.

VITA began Feb. 7 and will occur every Friday until April 11. VITA provides free assistance to all taxpayers, including but not limited to persons with disabilities, students and senior citizens. For over 30 years, trained business students and community volunteers have provided income tax preparation and electronic filing at no charge to members of our community.

Taxpayers must provide wage and earnings statements — form W-2 — from all employers, interest statements from banks — forms 1099 — a copy of last year’s tax return if available and other relevant information about income and expenses. Taxpayers also need to bring social security cards for all people on the tax return and a photo ID card. Taxpayers with complex returns may need to see an accountant.

The Mahoning County Financial Stability Partnership will also host a Financial Fair on March 14, at YSU. Ten partners from the Financial Stability Partnership will be vendors at this event to provide financial education and support to all individuals in attendance. Short seminars will be offered to VITA clients being served as they wait to have their taxes prepared. The goal of this event is to assist each family in making responsible fiscal decisions with not only their tax return money but for their financial future.

In preparation for the VITA program, business students and community volunteers are required to go through more than 50 hours of intensive training and pass IRS Certifications. Business students from the Williamson College of Business Administration also can collaborate with professional volunteers who are WCBA alumni with extensive backgrounds in tax preparation. Students are not required to be upperclassmen, in fact, this year’s volunteers include freshmen through graduate students. The intensive training program is enough to qualify every volunteer.

"As an accounting student at YSU, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the VITA program this year,” said Emily Wilson, a junior Accounting major. “It gives me the chance to learn valuable income tax preparation skills, the hands-on experience in the program is extremely beneficial, and it gives you a sense of satisfaction being able to give back to those in our area".

Drop off and pick up will be at the Williamson College of Business Administration building at designated appointment time. No walk-ins will be accepted — online registration to make your appointment is required. Community members can follow this link to schedule an appointment and international students can schedule an appointment here.

For questions, call 330-941-2507.