Mission Statement
The mission of the California State University, Northridge, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is to be a valued community partner in the culturally and linguistically diverse San Fernando Valley area.  The VITA program provides timely and relevant federal and state information to the community concerning taxpayers’ rights and responsibilities.  In addition, this program satisfies the widespread need for free tax return assistance, primarily for low-income individuals, senior citizens, non-English-speaking individuals, and the disabled located in CSUN’s surrounding community.

Objectives
The objectives of the CSUN VITA program are as follows:

• Provide quality tax information and income tax preparation service at no charge
• Connect our higher education institution with our diverse neighboring communities.
• Provide a business environment where students can experience and actively participate in diverse cultural and linguistic interactions with the public.
• Enhance CSUN’s business curriculum by increasing the use of active-learning strategies based on direct experience.
• Combine academic study with service to the community.
• Help students become independent, reflective, motivated, flexible, competent, disciplined, and confident. 
• Enhance students’ technical skills (tax knowledge, client interaction, and computer skills).

History
The VITA program was started to address a specific need in the community.  There are many people in the community who cannot afford to pay for income-tax preparation or do not understand the tax forms or are not aware of their tax rights and responsibilities.  To address this, CSUN opened the first VITA center in 1971.  Since then, the concept of students preparing tax returns for no charge to low-income taxpayers has spread to other colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Experience
Before going into the field, volunteers attend a 24-hour training program during January.  Through this program, Students gain valuable “hands-on” experience preparing federal and state tax returns, and they learn the important skills required to service a VITA site.  In addition, all students receive CSUN course credit. 

Advance courses are available for volunteers with prior experience.  These advance courses will train students to become VITA site supervisors.  Volunteers with no prior experience will receive two units of credit.  Supervisors will receive three units of credit.