Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Sponsored by VITA
Deadline: Friday, May 14, 2021 by 11:59pm EST
Overview
Prize/Award
Non-Contact Process Award – Recognizes BAP chapters that participated in non-traditional methods listed below.
Return Preparation – Recognizes BAP chapters that prepared more than 500 returns (combination of Traditional, non-Contact, and 1040NR/EZ)
1040NR/EZ Preparation – Recognizes BAP chapters that prepare 1040NR/EZ returns
Regional Award – Recognizes regions that have at least 40% chapters participation in VITA Program
Volunteer Hours – Recognizes the top three BAP Chapters with the most VITA volunteer hours.
1) Sites coordinated by BAP chapter
2) Sites coordinated by community partner
Superior Award – Presented to the best performing BAP chapter that excelled in VITA return preparation and volunteer hours.
Eligibility
Process
- Traditional – Chapter members provide free income tax preparation assistance to chapter members, students, and the community. These sites are generally located on campus.
- Facilitated Self Assistant (FSA) – Allows students to prepare and electronically file their own tax return with the aid of a VITA certified volunteer, if needed.
- Virtual – Taxpayers and student volunteers are not in the same location. Tax documents are securely transmitted to VITA site for preparation.
- Drop-Off – Return documents are dropped off at VITA site and prepared at later time.
- Remotely via the Internet – VITA Software is placed chapter’s website for students to prepare their own returns. BAP certified volunteers should be available to provide assistance, if needed.
- File/Screen Sharing – Via a secured electronic method, taxpayers and student volunteers use a screen sharing platform for return preparation.
Each return prepared through these methods are added to the overall return preparation numbers for special recognition considerations.
Award Process
Contact
Reports
VITA Reports are due Friday, May 14, 2021. Please complete the form here.
Other Information
- For those participating the traditional way, please refer to the IRS Volunteer Site Coordinator Handbook for guidance.
- Check out the 2021 Filing Season options document here.
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!
At Xero, we want millions of small businesses to thrive through better tools, information and connections with their accounting and bookkeeping partners. We know technology is only half the equation - it's the human and technology elements combined that make the role of an accounting professional so powerful. Members of Beta Alpha Psi are the catalyst to make our mission a reality and represent the future success of small businesses as the advisors that will lead them forward.
Ryan Wakefield
Xero
