Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Recognized by the IRS

Deadline: Monday, May 17, 2027, by 11:59 PM ET

Overview

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program provides Beta Alpha Psi chapters with an excellent opportunity to strengthen their presence on campus and throughout the surrounding community. Through VITA, chapter members provide free tax return preparation services to eligible taxpayers while gaining practical experience that supports their academic, professional, and personal development.

Participation allows students to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, strengthen their technical and interpersonal skills, develop leadership experience, and prove a commitment to community service. Chapters may take part by establishing a VITA site, partnering with an existing community site, or supporting the program through one of the service-delivery models described below.

Benefits of Participation

By participating in VITA, Beta Alpha Psi chapters can:

• Provide a valuable service to students, families, and underserved taxpayers.
• Gain hands-on experience preparing federal and state income tax returns.
• Strengthen members’ communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• Build relationships with IRS representatives, community organizations, and local employers.
• Increase awareness of tax credits and benefits available to eligible taxpayers.
• Promote financial education and responsible tax compliance.
• Receive recognition for the chapter’s volunteer service and community impact.

All volunteers must complete the applicable IRS training and certification requirements before preparing tax returns. Training is available at no cost through IRS Link & Learn Taxes.

VITA Recognition and Awards

Participating chapters will be recognized based on the number of federal tax returns prepared during the filing season:

• Silver Destination: 0–300 returns
• Bronze Destination: 301–600 returns
• Gold Destination: 601–1,000 returns
• Platinum Destination: More than 1,000 returns

Recognition highlights each chapter’s commitment to volunteer service, taxpayer assistance, and community engagement.

Eligibility

All U.S. Beta Alpha Psi chapters are encouraged to participate. Chapters may operate their own VITA site, collaborate with another college or university, or connect members with an established VITA/TCE site in the local community.

Participation Models

Chapters may select the model that best fits their resources, volunteer capacity, campus environment, and community needs:

1. Traditional VITA Site: Certified volunteers provide free, one-on-one tax return preparation services to students, employees, and members of the surrounding community.
2. Facilitated Self-Assistance: Taxpayers prepare and electronically file their own returns using approved tax software, with assistance available from certified volunteers.
3. Virtual VITA: Tax preparation services are provided remotely, with the taxpayer and certified volunteer located in different places. Secure procedures must be followed when transmitting and reviewing taxpayer information.
4. Drop-Off Service: Taxpayers leave their tax documents at the site and return later to review, sign, and receive their completed returns. Required intake, interview, quality-review, and security procedures apply.
5. Remote Self-Preparation: Taxpayers use approved online tax preparation software to prepare their own returns and receive support when needed. Available software options may include Online Taxes and TaxAct, subject to IRS program requirements and annual availability.
6. Partnership With an Existing VITA Site: Chapters that are not prepared to set up a site may refer certified student volunteers to an existing VITA/TCE partner in their area.

The proper service-delivery model should be coordinated with the local SPEC territory office to ensure compliance with IRS quality, privacy, security, certification, and reporting requirements.

Recommended Steps for Chapters

To begin participating, chapters should:

1. Identify a chapter VITA coordinator or faculty advisor.
2. Contact the local SPEC territory office to discuss participation options.
3. Determine whether to establish a new site or join an existing VITA/TCE site.
4. Recruit chapter members and other qualified campus volunteers.
5. Complete the required Volunteer Standards of Conduct, Intake/Interview and Quality Review, and applicable tax-law certifications.
6. Establish site operating procedures, hours, technology, and taxpayer appointment processes.
7. Promote the service through campus and community communication channels.
8. Track volunteer participation, service hours, and tax returns prepared.
9. Submit the required Beta Alpha Psi VITA report by the established deadline.

Award and Recognition Process

The IRS will review the reports submitted by participating chapters and determine the appropriate level of recognition based on documented filing-season results. Chapters should maintain accurate records of their VITA activities, including the number of volunteers, volunteer hours, taxpayers served, and federal tax returns prepared.

Reporting Deadline

Beta Alpha Psi VITA reports are due Monday, May 17, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET

Chapters must complete and submit the designated report form by the deadline to be considered for recognition.

Complete the VITA Summary Report form here

Contact Information

For additional information or assistance, contact: Amelia Dalton, IRS Senior Tax Analyst

Chapters may also contact their local VITA Territory Manager for guidance on training, certification, site establishment, partnership opportunities, and filing-season support.

Additional Resources

• Beta Alpha Psi VITA Presentation: Access the updated PDF version of the VITA presentation from the Annual Meeting.
• IRS Volunteer Site Coordinator Handbook: Provides essential guidance for establishing and operating a traditional VITA site.
• Link & Learn Taxes: Provides online training and certification for VITA/TCE volunteers.
• Volunteer Opportunities: Learn how volunteering as a tax preparer can strengthen professional skills while supporting the community.
• VITA/TCE Site Locator: Helps students and chapters identify existing volunteer tax preparation sites in their communities. VITA Locator or call 1-800-906-9887. Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) AARP Site Locator Tool or call 1-888-227-7669.

Participation in VITA gives Beta Alpha Psi members the opportunity to transform their knowledge into meaningful service. By helping eligible taxpayers meet their tax responsibilities and claim the credits and benefits for which they qualify, chapters can make a measurable difference while preparing members for future leadership and professional success.