Provides Hands‑On Experience for Students
SUNY Brockport’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers free tax preparation services to eligible individuals and families throughout the region, provided by SUNY Brockport accounting students.
The program runs every Wednesday through April 8, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Roberts Accounting Suite located in Hartwell Hall. Interested clients should register online in advance to secure an appointment (https://tinyurl.com/2d4uzkme).
Brockport’s accounting students are trained and certified through the Internal Revenue Service and work closely with faculty members who have completed advanced IRS certification, overseeing every return to ensure accuracy and compliance. The program also attracts international students, offering exposure to a community‑based tax assistance model not commonly available in their home countries.
“As a public university, our responsibility to serve the community is fundamental,” Dr. David Jacome said. “VITA allows us to offer meaningful support to those who need it most while building trust and long‑term relationships with the people we serve.”
VITA serves New York State residents with incomes of up to $69,000 with dependents or $36,000 without dependents, including students, seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and working families. The program offers a level of in‑person support and oversight that is uncommon among free tax‑preparation options, combining faculty supervision with student learning in a single community‑focused setting.
“In the years following COVID, many students lost opportunities to develop face‑to‑face communication skills,” Jacome said. “VITA gives them a chance to rebuild those skills by working directly with members of the community in a setting that truly matters.”
SUNY Brockport students participating in VITA must enroll in a one-credit course during the fall semester that prepares them for hands-on work during the tax season. Then, they complete a comprehensive IRS‑provided training through the VITA/TCE Central portal, including simulations and certification exams.
Additional information about eligibility and services is available through SUNY Brockport at https://tinyurl.com/yc53uwpu.
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