22
January
2019
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11:24 AM
America/Chicago

UHD VITA Tax Service Opens January 28

Summary

By Sheryl E. Taylor

The Marilyn Davies College of Business is offering its fourth year of tax preparation services through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) and Houston communities beginning Monday, Jan. 28.

In preparation for the upcoming tax filing season, an initial certification training was held in December for students who are volunteering for participation in the VITA program. A second training will be held on January 29 for students who were not able to attend the initial training as well as those who seek a special certification in a specialized area of tax preparation. It’s required by the IRS that every student must be certified to participate in the VITA program.

Last year, the Davies College of Business became an independent VITA site, known as UHD VITA. In the past the College has worked with other local organizations, such as Neighborhood Centers, Inc., to assist people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns.

The free tax preparation process for each client is approximately 45 minutes to an hour (sometimes more contingent upon each return) enlists the work of three individual students from the intake interview to data entry of the client's information to final review of the tax return. Once the tax return is finalized, it's filed electronically. After filing, clients can usually expect their refund within a week to a month; however, for international returns it sometimes may take longer.

UHD VITA regularly serves international students from surrounding universities and the Texas Medical Center. UHD is the only University site that does international and some military tax returns as well as assisting with virtual tax returns for Greater Longview United Way and Jackson Community Center in Orange, TX.

VITA is an IRS initiative designed to support free tax preparation service for the underserved through various partner organizations. Since its inception at UHD has served more than 250 clients through VITA.

Tax preparation through UHD VITA began on Monday, Jan. 28 and will continue through Monday, April 15, in the Shea Street Building (320 North Main St.), Room B308.

UHD VITA Hours of Operation

Monday Thursday
January 28 – April 15
1 – 5 p.m.
Shea Street Building, Room B308
320 North Main Street

Friday
March 2 – April 12
1 – 5 p.m.
Shea Street Building, Room B308
320 North Main Street

Saturday
February 2 – April 13
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Shea Street Building, Room B308
320 North Main Street

To learn more, email UHD Volunteer Income Tax Assistance at uhdvita@uhd.edu or call 713-238-1931.

About the University of Houston-Downtown

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.

U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.