VITA services are free for those that qualify to use it. You qualify to use VITA if your total income (single, head of household, married filing separately, or married filing jointly) is $60,000 or less.
You do not need to be a current student or alumni. However, due to resource constraints, at the current time, we are only opening up our services to members of the UVU community. (i.e., income is $60,000 or less).
Elderly or senior taxpayers may be better served by a Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) site. TCE sites specialize in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. To locate the nearest AARP TCE Tax-Aide site between January and April use the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 888-227-7669.
Yes, the VITA site at UVU will prepare and e-file* both federal and full-year Utah state returns. The VITA site at UVU will only prepare full-year state returns for other states at the discretion of the site coordinator. However, if you lived or worked in 2 or more states during the tax year, the VITA site at UVU will not prepare partial-year state returns.
* There may be specific situations that require your federal and/or state returns to be mailed in. In this situation, it will be your responsibility to mail your return(s) to the correct taxing authorities by the applicable tax filing deadlines.
In general, the following tax situations are within the scope of the IRS VITA services at the UVU site (this list is NOT comprehensive). If you have a question about whether a specific tax situation is within the scope of services provided, please email [email protected] before making an appointment.
In general, the following tax situations are NOT within the scope of the IRS VITA services at the UVU site (this list is not comprehensive). If you have a question about whether a specific tax situation is within the scope of services provided, please email [email protected] before making an appointment.
You may qualify to use myfreetaxes.com to prepare and e-file a simple (no schedule C, D, or E) federal and state tax returns for free. You will not receive help from IRS VITA volunteers at the UVU site but may have the ability to get help from tax professionals via phone, email, or chat on the myfreetaxes.com website.
If you do not qualify to use the IRS VITA service or myfreetaxes.com, you will need to consult with a tax professional for assistance with preparing your federal and/or state returns.
No, it is not within the scope of the IRS VITA services at the UVU site to review self-prepared tax returns or returns prepared by other individuals.
No, it is not within the scope of the IRS VITA services at UVU to provide tax consulting or tax planning services.
If your federal and/or state return is not successfully e-filed, you will receive an email from [email protected] within 3 days of your appointment explaining why it has been rejected and how to resolve it. Otherwise, you can consider your federal and/or state tax return successful e-filed.
It depends on how simple or complicated the tax question is. Tax law is complex and the correct answer often depends on each individual taxpayer’s fact and circumstances. You can email your tax question to [email protected] and we will do our best to answer it or encourage you to consult with a tax professional.
The IRS VITA site at UVU only prepares returns by appointment. Appointments are first come, first serve. You can schedule an appointment here.
The service is located in the Money Management Resource Center (MMRC) located in the KB 108.
Available appointments are based on the availability and capacity of the volunteers. New appointments become available as volunteer schedules change or through cancellation of appointments. Check back daily to see if any appointments have become available. If not, you can locate an alternate IRS VITA site here.
If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please use the links provided in the appointment confirmation email you received when you initially scheduled your appointment. Appointments cannot be cancelled or rescheduled within 24 hours of your appointment time using the link in your email.
If you cannot find your initial appointment confirmation email or you are trying to cancel or reschedule within 24 hours of your appointment time, please email [email protected] and let us know you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
No Show Policy: If you don't show up to your appointment, the IRS VITA site at UVU reserves the right to block you from scheduling future appointments.
Late Policy: If you are more than 15 minutes late to your appointment, the IRS VITA site at UVU reserves the right to cancel your appointment.
You must bring ALL required information to your appointment. If you don’t, we will not be able to complete your return at your appointment and you will have to return.
You will be asked to fill out an Intake/Interview Form when you come in. If you would like to complete it before your appointment, you can find a copy here.
Yes, but only if you have been in the US on an F-1 or J-1 visa for at least 5 years (one day in the US in any year = 1 year in the US).
If you have not been in the US for at least 5 years, your filing requirements are different and our volunteers are not certified to prepare your return. Please contact BYU International Student Services at (801) 422-2695 or here for assistance.
No, the preparation of Form 8843 (Statement for Exempt Individuals and Individuals with a Medical Condition) is not within the scope of the services provided at the VITA site at UVU.
No, our volunteers are not certified to prepare returns for active-duty service members and military retirees. Please contact Hill Air Force Base for assistance by calling (801) 777-1040.
Yes. However, you may be better serves by a Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) site. TCE sites specialize in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.
A majority of the TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program. To locate the nearest AARP TCE Tax-Aide site between January and April use the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 888-227-7669.
No, the preparation of prior year federal and state returns is outside the scope of services the VITA site at UVU provides.
UVU VITA does not retain your personal information or records. At the end of your appointment, we will give you a printed copy of your return and return all documents to you. Once an appointment is complete, we can no longer access your return for you. We highly suggest you scan your hard copy and keep it in a safe place. If you need a copy of a prior year return, you will need to request a copy from the IRS, here.
No, the preparation of federal and state extensions is outside the scope of the services the VITA site at provides.
No, our volunteers are not certified to assist with IRS tax notices. You should contact a tax professional for assistance. You can also contact the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic here to see if they are able to assist you.
No because VITA volunteers are not paid preparers which is why they do not sign your federal and/or state tax returns. You are completely responsible for all information contained (or not contained) in your federal and state tax returns. In addition, you are fully liable for the results of any IRS or state tax authority audit results. In addition, you are responsible for maintaining all the appropriate documentation to support all items reported in your federal and state tax returns.
Anytime you change addresses, you should inform the IRS so that you can receive correspondence for current and prior year tax returns. For more information on how to notify the IRS of a change of address, click here
If your return was e-filed and you chose to have your refund directly deposited into your bank account, the IRS generally issues most refunds within 21 days. If you paper filed your return or requested a refund check, it can take 4-6 weeks to receive your refund.
If it has been 21 days since your return was e-filed or 6 weeks since you mailed in your return, you can check the status of your refund, here.
If you see any discriminatory or unethical behavior at the UVU VITA clinic and would like to report it to the UVU VITA site coordinator, please email [email protected]. If you feel it is more serious, you can email IRS at [email protected]
Social Security Cards
What if I forget to bring my social security card to my appointment?
Without the appropriate social security card documentation, we will not be able to complete your return at your appointment and you will have to come back at a later time to present your social security card so we can complete your return.
What if I don’t have my actual social security card in my possession?
In order to protect your social security number from scams and identify theft, our first preference is to have you bring your actual social security card to your appointment. However, we will accept a picture of your actual social security card PLUS a photo ID (to validate your name).
What if I have lost my actual social security card?
In order to protect your social security number from scams and identify theft, you will need to request a replacement Social Security Number (SSN) Card from the nearest Social Security Administration office (Utah residents are not able to request a replacement card online yet). For more information, click here.
The name on my social security card does not match my current name. Does this matter?
The name on the tax return will need to match the name on your social security card EXACTLY! If it doesn’t, your return will be rejected by the IRS and any refund will be delayed until the issue is resolved. The VITA site will prepare your return using the name and social security number shown on your social security card.