Student VITA volunteers assist local low-income families to ensure they receive the full tax returns to which they are entitled. While performing this fulfilling service, students also gain valuable practical skills and real-world insight into the United States tax system.
Students who wish to volunteer must:
- Enroll in SOSC 275: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, a quarter-credit course in the spring semester.
- Pass the online Link-n-Learn test offered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with a score of 80% or higher. A training session to prepare for the test is offered at the beginning of the spring semester before tax season begins.
About the EITC
To be an effective VITA volunteer requires an intimate understanding of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Learn more about the EITC with the following resources:
- EITC lecture notes (PDF)
- "The Impact of the Earned Income Tax Credit on Economic Well-Being: A Comparison Across Household Types" (PDF)
- "Earned Income Tax Credit Recipients: Income, Marginal Tax Rates, Wealth, and Credit Constraints" (PDF)
Contacts for Volunteers
Nicole Simpson
Banfi Vintners Chair of Economics; Professor of Economics; Faculty Director, Upstate Institute