VITA

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

The SMU Dedman School of Law’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program helps individuals in the Dallas community by preparing tax returns using IRS software and transmitting the returns electronically to the IRS. SMU law students help to prepare basic income tax returns free of charge at designated IRS/VITA sites for individuals of low to moderate income, individuals with disabilities, non-English speaking taxpayers, and the elderly.

Confirmation Agreement for VITA – due by January 25, 2013 (for SMU law students)
VITA Site List - for 2013
Mandatory VITA Tests – January 25, 2013 due by 5 p.m. - 3 required tests and 4 forms are due.
Schedule Requests - You may begin scheduling your hours online beginning January 27, 2013.
Confirmed Dates/Times - available on January 27, 2013.

Logistics of the program are as follows:

1. All SMU law student participants must complete the Mandatory VITA Tests due by Friday, January 25th.
   ***Note these are required IRS/VITA tests; you will receive up to 8 Public Service hours for completing required tests.***
   The required IRS/VITA tests must be completed online BEFORE training.
2. Each SMU law student plans his/her own attendance schedule choosing a recommended site from the SMU VITA Site List. To request a specific date/time, please use the online Schedule Requests link before the VITA program begins (Jan 28, 2013 - Apr 15, 2013). If corrections need to be made to your schedule, please email Lynn Moubry [Lmoubry@smu.edu], who monitors this site. You may check your requested schedule by using the Confirmed Dates/Times link.
3. Law students will keep a weekly record with the number of hours dedicated with VITA on a Student Log form.
4. Upon completion of 30 hours (22 hours plus 8 hours for tests), a Supervisory Report form will need to be signed by the VITA site coordinator to certify completion.
5. Please submit both the Student Log and Supervisory Report to Lynn Moubry [Lmoubry@smu.edu] in Carr Collins Jr. Hall – suite 320. Fulfillment of the Public Service graduation requirement will be forwarded to the law registrar by Lynn Moubry with a confirmation copy emailed to the student at the end of each month.

Specifically regarding hours of credit:

1. A student need not earn a full 30 hours in the VITA program to receive Public Service credit. Most students complete 30 hours through the program, but a student is allowed (but not recommended) to split his/her public service requirement hours with another program to complete 30 hours.
2. Credit for the training/tests will be on a "matching" basis.
   For example, if a SMU law student completes the training/tests for 8 hours and works 8 hours in the field (8 field + 8 training/tests), then 16 hours of credit will be awarded.
   If a SMU law student completes the training/tests for 8 hours and works 3 hours in the field, only 6 hours (3 field + 3 training/tests) will be awarded.
   Finally, if a SMU Law student completes the training/tests for 8 hours and works 22 hours in the field, then 30 hours
   (22 field + 8 training/tests) will be awarded. 

Specifically regarding site locations:

1. A student may attend any site listed on the SMU VITA Site List during the day and time associated with the particular site. Remember that site positions have a limited number of computers available each day and will be closed when filled.
2. If a student has requested a certain site location/time and can not attend, he/she MUST phone: 214-768-2761 or email Lynn Moubry: [Lmoubry@smu.edu] AND the VITA site coordinator BEFORE such non-attendance. This will give the site time to find a possible replacement.

Please email Lynn Moubry with questions regarding the VITA program. Please complete a Public Service Commitment form Confirmation Agreement form, and return it to Lynn Moubry in Carr Collins Jr. Hall – suite 320 if you plan to participate.

Thanks for your interest, and we'll see you in January!

Regards,