What is VITA?
VITA is an IRS sponsored free tax preparation program for working families and individuals whose income is under $51,000, however, UNL does not base the need solely on the income amount but on whether or not the tax return is in the IRS specified scope. The premise behind VITA is to increase general financial literacy and education about taxes. The VITA program is put in to help people gain more economic security through the earned income tax credit and tax credits.
Why do we do VITA?
UNL Tax Credit Campaign is an IRS approved VITA site. This year will the 8th year of preparing student and community returns. Growing from a humble beginning of the first year in 2006 preparing 128 tax return to last years 1194 tax return and $2.25 million in total refunds, of which $754,502 in EITC and $501,243 child tax credit. UNL has consistently been one of the top two VITA sites in Lincoln. This program assists with financial literacy and education and does outreach in the community. The economic security of the community member in Lincoln is a high priority and this program assists with that. The site would not be successful with out the support from our students, staff and faculty.
The UNL Tax Credit Campaign is recruiting student, faculty and staff to assist in providing tax preparation for other student, faculty, staff and community members. To serve, you do not have to be at every session or an entire session; you can sign up according to you availability at our training, which is January 11 from either 8 a.m.to 12p.m.or 1p.m to 5p.m. Anyone can be a VITA tax preparer; you do not need expertise in math or accounting. Each participant will need to be certified and will receive and official IRS VITA Certificate.
When is the site open?
January 18-February 23
Nebraska East Union, 3rd Floor Student Involvement
Monday-Wednesday, 5-8 pm
Saturday & Sunday, 1-5 pm
Saturdays in February, 10am-4pm
March 1- March 12
Nebraska Union, Colonial Room
Monday- Wednesday, 5-8 pm
Saturday & Sunday, 1-5 pm
The UNL Tax Credit Campaign is open to all students, faculty, staff, and community member to have assistance with tax preparation and any other financial literacy questions.
If you are interested in learning more about taxes attend one of our Tax Law Help Session on Fridays from 1-4p.m. on November 22, December 6, and 13 in the Center for Civic Engagement, 222 Nebraska Union.
Please sign up at http://engage.unl.edu/taxes by December 6th.
If you have any questions and need further assistance, please contact Kyla by email at service-learning@unl.edu or call Center for Civic Engagement (402) 472-6150 or you could stop by our office 222 Nebraska Union.
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/0sy3
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/0sy3