Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Sponsored by IRS
Deadline: Monday, May 19, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
Overview
The VITA Program is an excellent opportunity for Beta Alpha Psi chapters to gain exposure on campus and in the community. As an added benefit, chapter members that volunteer gain valuable practical experience in income tax preparation which is a life skill. There are several ways to offer the Program. See Process section below.
VITA Recognition/Awards
- Each chapter will be recognized for its members participation in VITA (return preparation/volunteerism).
- There will be three distinct recognitions.
- Silver Destination recognizes chapter that completed between 500 – 699 total returns.
- Bronze Destination recognizes chapters that completed between 700 – 999 total returns.
- Gold Destination recognizes chapters that completed more than 1,000 total returns.
- Superiority Destination is for those chapters which excel in multiple VITA models. The decision is not based strictly on volume but other factors as well such as chapter size, number of volunteers, etc.
Eligibility
All U.S. chapters are eligible to participate in VITA.
Process
VITA has several models which chapters can use to deliver free income tax preparation:
- Traditional – Chapters will provide free one-on-one income tax preparation assistance to members, students and/or the community. These sites are generally located on campus.
- Facilitated Self Assistance – Allows members, students and community the opportunity to prepare and electronically file their own federal and state income tax returns with assistance from certified VITA volunteer, if necessary.
- Virtual – Taxpayers and preparers are not in the same location when returns are prepared.
- Drop-Off – Returns and documents are dropped off at VITA site and prepared later without the presence of the taxpayer.
- Remote via the Internet - VITA software URL is placed on Beta Alpha Psi public-facing website. Chapters are required to have support available as necessary. The product are Online Taxes and Tax TaxAct.
Award Process
Winners are determined by the IRS.
Contact
For more information please contact Rawlin Tate, Senior Tax Analyst – IRS at 404-219-0358 or rawlin.tate@irs.gov, or reach out to your VITA Territory Manager.
VITA Reports are due Monday, May 19, 2025 by 11:59pm ET. Please complete the form here.
Other Information
- PDF version of the PowerPoint used during 2022 Annual Meeting VITA session 2022 Annual Meeeting PPT Presentation from VITA session
- For those participating the traditional way, please refer to the IRS Volunteer Site Coordinator Handbook for guidance.
Other ways to participate in VITA to give back to the community
Read this article from the IRS about how to volunteer as a tax preparer to gain skills and help the community.
Throughout this report, you will find that Beta Alpha Psi is proud of the members, alumni, faculty advisors, Professional Partners, Board of Directors, Chapter Advocates and every volunteer that contributes to the success of this organization. Learn more here.
Hear what our Professional Partners think about BAP!
Wipfli has been involved with BAP for a number of years. Attending the Annual Meeting this past summer was an incredible experience where we got to network with so many great students!
Victoria Spencer
Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
Wipfli CPAs and Consultants
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