In its 50 years of operations, the CSUN VITA Clinic had to endure many unpredictable challenges. But none of those experiences truly prepared us for the monumental test of confronting a global pandemic, while striving to maintain access to vital services for so many low-income taxpayers who have come to rely on us each year.
The first six weeks of operations this tax season were characterized by hundreds of volunteers offering face-to-face tax preparation services at one of our 17 sites city wide. All came to an abrupt stop in early March following the closure of campus to ensure the health and well-being of our student volunteers and the taxpayers we serve.
Rather than surrender to this adversity, our student leadership team pivoted almost immediately to a solution mode. Following intense brainstorming sessions, the CSUN VITA leadership team led by Anna Hakopian ’20 (Accounting) came up with a detailed plan for offering services through a secured virtual platform. After obtaining the formal approval of the IRS, CSUN VITA Clinic embarked on complete virtual tax preparation in early May and operated fve days per week, offering appointments to taxpayers seeking to submit their tax return, or claiming the Economic Impact Payments provided for under the CARES Act. Read the full message
CSUN VITA Clinic by the Numbers
Over 400 Student Volunteers
Over 14,000 Volunteer Service Hours
Over 6,000 Low Income Taxpayers Served
Taxpayers Served by Neighborhood
SPECIAL THANKS TO HARRIET & HARVEY BOOKSTEIN
Harriet and Harvey Bookstein with Rafi Efrat (center), director of the CSUN VITA Clinic.
Sponsors
State of California
CSU5
County of Los Angeles
City of Los Angeles
The Department of the Treasury
Friends of the Family
City National Bank
LADWP
Associated Students
Wells Fargo
Citi Bank
Family Source
New Economics for Women
Bank of Hope
