TJSL’s Free Tax Clinic VITA Provides Vital Service
August 29, 2012
Thomas Jefferson School of Law’s student-run Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Clinic (VITA) had a very successful year, helping more than 300 people get their taxes done for free at the clinic.
TJSL’s Tax Society makes tax preparation accessible to individuals who cannot afford it by running VITA, which provides FREE income tax return services to people in the San Diego community.
Now in its 15th year, IRS-certified student volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation to qualified individuals in local communities. Volunteers inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled.
“Our TJSL students volunteers attend an IRS training class and are required to pass an IRS Certification test before prepare tax returns,” said Ana Apacible of TJSL’s Tax Society. “They dedicate time every week from their busy schedule to help students as well a community members in an effort to save them time and money from going to paid tax preparers.”
The VITA Clinic was open 3 times a week for a total of 135 hours.
Below are the statistics for the 2012 Tax Season:
Total Tax Returns Prepared: 318
Total Individuals Assisted: 134
Total Federal Refunds: $114,771.00
Total State Refunds: $20,154.00
Tax Preparation Fees Saved
by the VITA Tax Clinic: $14,925.00
The student who operate VITA would also like to thank TJSL Professor Chris Guzelian for stepping in as faculty advisor to the clinic this tax season while Professor Richard Winchester was on sabbatical in Tunisia.
VITA is one of several free clinics operated by Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Others include, The Small Business Law Center, The Art & Entertainment Law Protect, the Patent Clinic, the Trademark Clinic and the Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic.
For more information about VITA:
https://www.tjsl.edu/clinics/tax-clinic