About

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help to low to moderate-income (generally $49,000 and below) individuals who cannot prepare their own tax returns. We at York College seek to fulfill the needs of the surrounding community.

What is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program?

The York VITA program was established by Professor Robert Clovey in 2008. From the inception of the program (Spring 2008), York VITA interns have prepared in excess of 25,000 tax returns, have saved the community in excess of $5,000,000 in tax filing fees, and have generated refunds (Federal & New York State) in excess of $25 million.  During the 2017 tax season, there were approximately 10,000 VITA sites nationwide, York VITA was ranked #43 based on the volume of returns prepared.

Each tax season, the York VITA program recruits approximately 150 students to work in the program. Training for the program occurs during the fall semester with actual tax preparation and serving of clients taking place in the spring semester during the months of January through April. The program is an initiative sponsored by York College and by the Department of Accounting and Finance.

Mission

To our Clients

• To prepare accurate returns with the utmost courtesy and professionalism.

To our Interns

• To provide leadership, knowledge and practical experience.
• To show the importance of an internship and giving back to the community.

To our College

• To showcase York College as a beacon for teaching, learning and community service. York VITA is an IRS sponsored program. All student interns must undergo IRS training and certification in order to participate in the program.