Liberated from the restraints of the pandemic, the CSUN Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Clinic came back strong to clinch the top ranking among more than 6,700 VITA sites nationally in terms of returns transmitted. Powered by more than 250 student volunteers, CSUN VITA provided free tax preparation and financial coaching to over 8,500 low-income taxpayers in Los Angeles County.
In all, we helped taxpayers claim nearly $8 million in tax refunds and $2.8 million in federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits, while saving them over $1.9 million in tax preparation fees.
This year the CSUN VITA Clinic reopened its doors on campus and at 13 other sites throughout Los Angeles County, including seven public library locations. From Jan. 28 through April 18, dedicated volunteers were available six days per week and up to 12 hours per day.
With the generous support of Wells Fargo Bank, the Internal Revenue Service and the California Department of Community Services and Development, the CSUN VITA Clinic revitalized the exciting CSU5+ VITA Initiative, providing the impetus for nine campuses to join together and serve more than 12,000 taxpayers with the support of 500-plus student volunteers across our collaborative.
The $200,000 contribution from Wells Fargo Bank also enabled us to integrate and provide financial coaching services to our low-income taxpayer clients, empowering them to set aside a portion of their tax refunds to save for long-term financial goals. Read the full message