CSUN Offers Aid in Filing Tax Returns

Low-income San Fernando Valley residents confused by tax terminology can stay in the good graces of the Internal Revenue Service by filing their taxes through Cal State Northridge’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Operated by more than 350 trained CSUN undergraduates volunteers, 15 centers will be set up starting Sunday through April 8 across the Valley and parts of Los Angeles.

VITA is a federally funded program that began in 1966 and is based at universities and community centers throughout the nation. It was adopted by CSUN in 1971.

Through VITA, taxpayers who cannot afford professional help are given free pointers on tax preparation procedures and basic tax laws.

Those eligible for the service must have earned no more than $40,000 in gross income last year.

In addition, VITA coordinators anticipate an electronic filing system to be installed in selected centers by early March. Through this system, a taxpayer can speed up the return process by filling out forms by computer and sending that information to an IRS database.

IRS agents will be on hand to answer questions that are beyond the scope of the volunteers.

For information and locations, call (818) 885-4519.