WASHINGTON – The Howard University Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at Howard University School of Business is now open and currently providing free high-quality tax assistance for the 2021 tax filing season to the community on Tuesdays from 5-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Those eligible can email HowardUniversityVITA@gmail.com to make an appointment.

“The Howard University School of Business is pleased to announce that its VITA site is open to serve taxpayers despite the continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jean Wells, JD, CPA, associate professor in the Department of Accounting at Howard University. “We are grateful for the continued support from our partners, students and community volunteers who make the program possible.”

The Howard University VITA site is one of 16 tax sites around the Washington area. The Washington VITA sites engage 500 volunteers annually who provide free tax assistance and promote financial stability for hard-working families. The Howard University site will be open through tax season and will provide services until the filing deadline.

To participate, those eligible will need the following information:

• Photo I.D. for you and your spouse;
• Social Security cards for you, your spouse and your dependents;
• W-2, 1099 and all other tax forms for all income received in 2020;
• Copy of last year’s tax return if you have it; and
• Bank account number and routing number for direct deposit.

According to the IRS website, people who generally make $55,950 or less and persons with disabilities, elders and limited English-speaking taxpayers can take advantage of this service. No application is necessary to take advantage of this service. Those who meet the eligibility requirements are welcome to participate.

The Department of Accounting at Howard University School of Business works in conjunction with Community Tax Aid, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the National Association of Black Accountants Metro DC Chapter to make this program a success, recruiting interdisciplinary Howard students as volunteers.

For more information or to find a VITA center near you, click here.

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 70 Fulbright Scholars. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Media Contact: Misha Cornelius, misha.cornelius@howard.edu