Free tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offered by the Marilyn Davies College of Business are still available to the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) and Houston communities through July 15.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, services are being offered virtually on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. You must request a Zoom appointment via email or by phone by calling 713-222-5328.

The program assists people who generally make $66,000 or less, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, college students and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns.

The Davies College of Business became an independent VITA site in 2018, known as UHD VITA. In the past the College has worked with other local organizations, such as Neighborhood Centers, Inc.

The free tax preparation process by tax professionals also enlists the work of three trained 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.

For those who are not able to file by the July 15, 2020 deadline, the IRS reminds individual taxpayers that everyone is eligible to request an extension to file their return.

For more information on the program, visit the UHD VITA website.