Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
During tax season, Worcester State University is the destination of choice for area taxpayers who qualify to have an Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site file their federal and state income tax returns. We have operated a VITA program since the 1970s, and our IRS-certified VITA volunteers have filed thousands of tax returns and helped clients recoup millions in tax refunds since 2004.
We do not expect to resume in-person service this tax season. Please feel free to email or call if you have any questions.
IRS Free File: File Your Taxes Online for Free
Review each company's offer to make sure you qualify for free filing.
Free Virtual Tax Help
Visit for free online tax help by IRS-certified volunteers.
Eligibility for free service
- Income of $56,000 or less in the tax year being filed
- We can handle many common tax situations
Because we take our commitment to preparing accurate returns seriously, we do not prepare returns outside of our prescribed scope.
- We try to determine this as early in the process as possible, but there may be circumstances where we discover we cannot continue preparing a return, even after scheduling an appointment and beginning preparation.
- Please save time for everyone by mentioning anything you think might be relevant.
Please ask before visiting us if you think there might be anything difficult, lengthy, or out of the ordinary involved with your tax situation in the tax year being filed. Examples include:
- No untotaled lists of figures, receipts, checkbooks; or other lengthy issues
- No rental property, small business, self-employment, home office deduction, casualty loss, or foreclosure
- No bankruptcy or insolvency situations
If you lived or worked in a state other than Massachusetts in the tax year being filed, please describe your situation to us before visiting.
What to Bring
- Photo ID (always required)
- Social Security cards (or alternative) for yourself, spouse, and dependents
- Acceptable alternatives are:
- Legible copy or photo of the social security card
- Medicare card with number ending in A
- Any form or letter from the Social Security Administration showing name and social security number
- Identity theft PIN (if IRS sent you one)
- Birth dates for yourself, spouse, and dependents
- Both spouses must be present and sign joint returns (doesn't have to be at the same time)
- If this is not possible, a Power of Attorney Form is required
- All tax documents you received (W2, 1099, 1098, 1098-T, etc.)
- Any other income information
- Health insurance coverage information for yourself, spouse, and dependents:
- Form 1099HC for private health insurance. (Get a copy from parents if you're on their plan.)
- Form 1095A for Mass. Health Connector insurance
- For MassHealth, health insurance cards and months of coverage
- Amounts paid for tuition and course-related books (1098-T with account statement from your school)
- Student loan interest paid (1098-E from your loan servicer)
- Real estate tax and mortgage interest paid (1098 from your lender)
- Rent paid (if any)
- If over 65, amount of water and sewer charges (if any)
- Amount paid for daycare and the provider's SSN or EIN
- Amount contributed to IRAs
- Amount paid in tolls through EZPass account, or weekly/monthly MBTA passes, if over $150
- Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit
- Copy of last year's returns (We do not have them, even if you saw us last year.)
- Any mail you got from IRS or Massachusetts Department of Revenue
- Anything else relevant to the tax year being filed
If you are an international student, please tell us when scheduling an appointment. Please bring to your appointment the following:
- Passport
- Visa information, and dates of entry and exit for the past 6 years
- Name, address, and phone number of your academic program
Our VITA program is run by faculty advisor Michael Shamgochian, an assistant professor in the Business Administration and Economics Department.