Volunteer through VITA to make a difference
The University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business and Salt & Light partner to bring the IRS-sponsored VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program to the local community. In 2024, more than 700 households’ tax returns were completed and filed for free because of this amazing program. In addition, Gies Accountancy students gained valuable experience meeting with clients and completing tax returns , under the careful supervision of Gies College of Business faculty.
You can help! No tax experience necessary!
We need volunteers on site at the Salt & Light Urbana location to greet clients and ensure they bring the correct documents and information needed for accurate tax filings. Volunteers will not complete tax returns. Volunteers will coach college students with customer relations and information gathering skills.
On- site at Salt & Light in Urbana, we focus on:
- ensuring the taxpayers qualify for VITA services,
- collecting complete and accurate financial information from participants,
- helping participants understand the VITA process,
- reviewing the tax return with taxpayers and finalizing the tax filing process, and
- working in partnership with college students.
Tax preparation skills and knowledge are not required to volunteer. Training on the VITA site’s process (intake and returning tax returns to clients) will be provided. Approximately, three to four hours of training will be required before volunteering. Volunteer shifts will be three hours with the option to do more than one shift per week. Volunteers are needed from January 30 through April 15, 2025.
If you’re interested in learning more about volunteering, please complete and submit the Volunteer Interest Form. Then, you will be contacted in October by email with more information including training dates. Also, you may contact Kathy Sweedler, VITA Site Coordinator, at VITA@business.illinois.edu with questions.
