USI VITA program to offer free federal, state tax return preparation

University of Southern Indiana students in the Romain College of Business will provide free federal and state income tax preparation as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.

The sessions will be held by appointment only in the Business and Engineering Center on the following Mondays: February 8, 15 and 22; and March 1, 8, 15 and 22. Appointments will be available at 5 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. All participants are required to wear masks or face coverings during the visit and social distancing protocols have been implemented to ensure the safety of both the students and participants. 

"While the USI VITA Program will look a little different this year, we are excited to continue to provide free tax preparation to USI students, employees and the surrounding community," said Dr. Brett Bueltel, Assistant Professor of Accounting and Site Coordinator for the USI VITA Program. "We have new protocols in place to ensure the safety of our clients and our students. Our students are excited for the opportunity to serve our community and gain real world experience preparing tax returns."

In VITA programs, the Internal Revenue Service partners with national and local organizations to provide tax services to individuals with low-to-moderate income at no cost to the taxpayer. Accounting students will interview and prepare the taxes of those taxpayers who make an appointment for the service. VITA sites do not prepare Schedule C business forms or Schedule E rental forms. Federal and state tax returns are prepared at the time of the appointment, and all taxpayers must be available to sign their returns. Preparation of returns typically takes 90 minutes to complete.

Individuals are required to bring their tax information, photo identification cards and Social Security cards for themselves and any dependents. International students must bring their passports and visas as well. The IRS encourages electronic filing and returns will be filed electronically for those who are eligible.

Please bring copies of your prior year state and federal tax returns if they are available. Your tax returns from the prior year are very helpful in preparing correct and complete current year returns. Paper returns will be prepared for those taxpayers who do not qualify for electronic filing or prefer paper returns.

To make an appointment, call the Romain College of Business at 812-464-1718.