We are no longer accepting applications for the 2024-25 school year!

CLASS DATE: Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm PT
CLASS LOCATION: Mulford 159

****************OVERVIEW****************
Berkeley VITA is a student-led UC Berkeley Public Service Center program that provides free tax return filing services to low-income communities in the Bay Area.

The VITA program consists of two parts:

1) Fall 2024: In the fall, we teach a DeCal on how to actually file taxes and discussions on the larger environment of American income inequality.

The weekly DeCal is designed to prepare students to take and successfully pass the IRS-sponsored Basic Certification Test in early December. The DeCal incorporates discussions about poverty, income inequality, and the public policies surrounding these issues. Training materials, including official IRS publications and software tutorials, will be provided to students for free.

2) Spring 2025: In the spring, you'll put your newfound knowledge to use preparing taxes at volunteer locations around the Bay Area.

Students begin volunteer work with one of our community partner organizations either in-person in the Bay Area or virtually, and continue until the end of the tax season (mid April). Students can receive 2 additional units for their volunteer work and apply to become a Site Leader.

No previous experience or knowledge of taxes is required, but Berkeley VITA is a YEAR-LONG commitment!

****************ATTENDANCE****************
Classes will be held in-person subject to any changes in university policy (accommodations can be made for students with extenuating circumstances).

Classes begin on Thursday, 9/12 and end on Thursday, 12/5. If you are accepted into the program, attendance to the first class is mandatory. Attendance at all other class meetings is part of the course grade.

****************RECRUITING TIMELINE****************
• 8/19: Applications open [tinyurl.com/VITA24-25Application]
• 8/29, 2-6pm: Calapalooza tabling [Sproul]
• 8/30, 8am-4pm: Sproul tabling [Sproul]
• 9/5, 12-2pm: Meet the Firms tabling [Haas Courtyard]
• 9/5, 6:30-7:30pm: Virtual Info Session [tinyurl.com/VITA24-25Info]
• 9/6, 11:59pm: Applications close
• 9/7: Decisions are released
• 9/12: Mandatory first day of class

Students who wish to join the program will be asked to complete a short application. Applications are due on Friday, 9/6 at 11:59pm PT, with decisions released on Saturday, 9/7. We look forward to reading your application!