Members of the community can receive assistance for the 2022 tax season at no cost with the UAB VITA program.The Regions Institute for Financial Education in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Collat School of Business is offering free assistance for the 2022 tax filing season for qualifying individuals.
From now until April 18, members of the community can create an appointment at the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, site to receive support in the preparation and filing of their tax returns and filing of amendments. Site volunteers will include Collat School of Business faculty, staff and students.
The program launched in January 2022 and is an endeavor by RIFE in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service, as well as support from Live HealthSmart Alabama, Protective Life Insurance and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Eligibility criteria for VITA site services includes:
- Voluntary Income Tax Assistance: Must have an annual salary equal to or less than $58,000.
- Tax Counseling for the Elderly: Must be age 60 or older.
- Access to free tax preparation software: Must have a household income of $73,000 or less.
Access to TaxSlayer tax preparation software is open — at no cost — to all in the community with a household income at or under $73,000.
Returns are prepared at the Regions Institute for Financial Education located on the first floor of the Collat School of Business. The institute will also provide self-help instruction for community members who would like to complete their own tax returns but need some guidance.
In addition, alumni and students of UAB can learn tips on tax filing during the free Tax Tips 2023 virtual event hosted by the UAB National Alumni Society. Attendees can learn the ins and outs of taxes from Jim Byrd, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Accounting and Finance. The seminar will be held Tuesday, Feb. 7, from 12-1 p.m. A recording will be available following the event at alumni.uab.edu/videos.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with the VITA site service, email rife@uab.edu or call 205-996-0884.