Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

During tax season, Worcester State University is the destination of choice for area taxpayers who qualify for an Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site to 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 more than 4,200 tax returns and helped clients recoup nearly $4.3 million in tax refunds since 2004.

If your income is $53,000 or less and you live in Worcester or surrounding area, you can have our VITA volunteers prepare your federal and state tax returns confidentially and at no charge.

Bring all information relevant to your 2014 tax returns, including: 

• Photo ID
• Social Security cards for yourself, spouse and dependents
• Birth dates for yourself, spouse and dependents
• All tax documents (W2, 1099, 1098, etc.)
• Any other income information
• Form 1099-HC for private health insurance or health card for MassHealth/government plans
• Form 1098-T (tuition paid)
• Amounts paid for course-related books, supplies and equipment
• Form 1098-E (student loan interest paid)
• Amount of real estate tax and mortgage interest paid
• Amount of rent paid
• Amount paid for daycare and the provider's SSN or EIN
• Amount contributed to IRAs
• Amount paid in tolls through FastLane or weekly/monthly MBTA passes, if over $150
• Bank routing and account numbers (e.g. from a voided check) for direct deposit
• Copy of last year's returns
• Anything else relevant to your 2014 tax returns
• Joint returns require both spouses' signature

Our VITA program volunteers complete IRS certifications covering many, but not all, common individual tax-return issues.

Our VITA program cannot prepare tax returns with any of the following: 

• income from rental properties
• bankruptcy or insolvency
• lengthy lists or check registers with untotaled expenses or deductions
• complex self-employment income

You can make an appointment by phone or email. Walk-ins are also accepted. If you are a taxpayer with complex tax issues, we ask that you inquire first before making an appointment or stopping in.

Our VITA program is run by faculty advisor Michael Shamgochian, an adjunct professor in the Business Administration and Economics Department.