Certain residents can get their taxes prepared for free and Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) students can get hands-on experience this tax season through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

The free service, provided by Cal State Long Beach student volunteers, aims to assist low-income and moderate-income individuals, as well as students, those 65 and older, non-residents, the disabled and individuals with limited English proficiency. This year, it will also provide free tax services for veterans for the first time.

IRS-certified tax preparers, all CSULB student volunteers, will prepare both federal and state tax returns.

“Our VITA site is available to qualifying taxpayers with an income level of $53,000 or less,” said Professor of Accountancy Sudha Krishnan in a statement issued by CSULB. “IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing for federal and state tax returns.”

VITA, a four-unit accounting course at CSULB, offers free e-filing for federal and state tax returns, and is a cooperative effort by the IRS. CSULB has hosted the program for the past 20 years, Krishnan said, and filed 930 returns in 2014.

This year, 60 IRS-certified tax preparers have volunteered to prepare and e-file basic income tax and foreign student tax returns. The volunteers do not prepare business tax returns, and only assist individuals who made less than $53,000.

The student volunteers are trained in four parts: Federal tax I and II, TaxWise software, foreign students and hands-on experience. The students take online tests the week before the program begins, Krishnan said.

“As volunteers, their duty is to simply help these individuals in preparing their tax returns and answering their questions,” Krishnan said. “Volunteers are asked to put in at least one to four hours a week in two shifts based on enrollment.”

VITA is currently taking place through March 27 from 8:00AM to 5:00PM Mondays through Thursdays and from 9:00AM to 3:00PM on Fridays in the College of Business Administration (CBA) Computer Lab, room 237. Metered parking is available in lot 15 adjacent to the CBA building for $2.

Those interested in and qualified for getting their taxes prepared by a VITA student volunteer should bring proof of identification such as Social Security cards, including a spouse’s and dependent’s (or a Social Security number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration), birth dates, including a spouse’s and dependent’s, a current year’s tax package, wage and earnings statements (such as the W-2, W-2G, the 1099-R from all employers), government identification (such as a driver’s license) as well as interest and dividend statements from banks (1099 forms.) When filing a joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred and can be made by emailing [email protected].