January 24, 2018 – Virginia State University’s (VSU) accounting students are working in cooperation with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide income tax preparation and filing assistance for 2017 tax returns through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).  The VITA services are open to individual or joint filers in the Tri-Cities area with income below $58,000.

The VITA site is located in Singleton Hall, Room 333 and is being staffed two days a week—Tuesday and Saturday, beginning January 27, 2018 and ending April 10, 2018.  The VITA site will be open Tuesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. VITA services will not be available during the University’s Spring Break, which is March 5 – March 10, 2018.

This is the 31^st year VSU accounting majors have provided this service. This service is being coordinated by Mr. Lester Reynolds, assistant professor of accounting at VSU and a former IRS employee, and Dr. Hari Sharma, chairman of the Accounting and Finance Department in the Reginald F. Lewis College of Business. The students’ participation is among the requirements of the federal income tax course.

Those desiring help in preparing and filing their tax returns should bring with them all essential records – W2 forms, SSA – 1099, if appropriate, etc. Free electronic filing will be done for individuals who are required to use IRS forms 1040A or 1040EZ only. IRS E-File for individuals is the easy alternative to filing paper returns.

For more information, contact Dr. Hari Sharma or B. Rae Morgan at (804) 524-5842.