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Clients

Free Parking Reservation

VITA at UCI offers free tax preparation services to people who need assistance in preparing their tax returns, performed by IRS-certified volunteers.

We carefully prepare, review, and explain the tax return with you to ensure accuracy and satisfaction before filing.

Procedures

  1. Before you visit, gather all tax documents (See What to Bring)
  2. On your first visit, you’ll be asked to fill out an intake sheet for your basic information and drop off / upload your tax documents (paper or digital copies)
  3. It’ll take 1-2 weeks to prepare your return. We will call/text you when your return is completed.
  4. When your return is completed (1-2 weeks later), you’ll need to visit us again to review, sign, and pick up your documents and tax return. We will e-file1 the tax return after you agree and sign the tax return.

2024 Site Information

Location
SB2 111 (School of Business II, 4291 Pereira Drive, Irvine, CA 92697)

We provide a limited number of free parking spaces in Lot 1 for clients, available by reservation. Clients who possess valid UCI parking permits can park for free and are not required to make a reservation. For details on where your permit is valid, please visit UCI Parking Permits.

Open dates and time
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., every Saturday from February 3rd to March 23th April 6th. Last service at 4:20 p.m.
Update: On March 30th and April 6th, we are only open for tax return pick-ups.

Time required
Depending on the complexity of your tax return and how busy the tax site is, it may take anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour to complete the intake process.

Walk-ins
Walk-in available. We currently do not take appointments.
Taxpayers drop off the tax documents and return to pick up the tax return 1-2 weeks later.
Please note that you might need to wait before a volunteer serves you, as we have a limited number of volunteers.

Languages
English, Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese)

Eligibility

We offer free tax help to people including:
✅ People who generally make $64,000 or less
✅ Persons with disabilities
✅ Limited English-speaking taxpayers
✅ International/non-resident students

We cannot serve clients with the following:
❌ Prior Year Returns
❌ 1098-T with Box 4 or Box 6 (adjustments) filled in
❌ Certain transactions related to Digital Assets2
❌ Complicated Non-California State Returns
❌ No SSN or ITIN
❌ Resident aliens claiming tax treaty benefits
Example: If you are a Resident Alien and want to claim the $5,000 exemption under the US-China Tax Treaty Article 20(c).
❌ Kiddie tax
Example: If you are under 24 at the end of 2023 and have more than $2,500 of taxable scholarships3
❌ Rental income
Exception: Rental of personal residence for less than 15 days for the year is not considered a rental activity and is not taxable income unless the taxpayer is in the rental business or cleaning, linen, food, or similar services were provided during the rental period.
❌ Underpayment of Estimated Tax
Example: If you owe more than $1,000 of federal income tax4

See more

❌ Nonresident Aliens with 1099-NEC (self-employment)
❌ Schedule C with loss, depreciation, or business use of home
❌ Net operating loss deduction
❌ Complicated Schedule D (capital gains and losses)
❌ Form 8606 (non-deductible IRA)
❌ Form 8814 (child taxed at parent’s tax rate)
❌ Form SS-8 (determination of worker status for purposes of federal employment taxes and income tax withholding)
❌ Parts 4 & 5 of Form 8962 (Allocation of Policy Amounts, Alternative Calculation for Year of Marriage)
❌ Returns with casualty/disaster losses

The list is not exhaustive. Please check Publication 4012 (irs.gov) Page 8, Scope of Service, for more information.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions.

What to Bring

  • (For married filing joint, both spouses must be present)
  • (Paper or electronic copies are accepted, except for Photo ID)
  • Original government-issued Photo ID (Driver’s License/State ID/Passport) for you and your spouse (if applicable)
  • Social Security Card or ITIN letter for anyone listed on tax return, including dependents
  • Income-related documents (Form W-2s, 1099s, …)
  • Health insurance coverage statement (Form 1095-A, B, or C). See California Health Insurance Mandate.
  • If any, proof of educational-related expenses (Form 1098-T, E, …)
  • If any, proof of day-care payments (and provider’s tax ID number)
  • If any, information for all deductions (including charitable contributions and credits)
  • For direct deposit of refund, proof of account and bank’s routing number (voided check or bank app)
  • A copy of last year’s tax return, if available

International/non-resident students should bring the following in addition to the above:

  • Passport and Visa
  • Form 1042-S, if applicable

Note

  1. In certain cases, your tax return may have to be mailed.
    For example,
    (a) married non-resident alien status,
    (b) certain amended returns,
    (c) etc. ↩︎
  2. OK if you
    (a) held no virtual currency for the tax year or if the taxpayer’s only transactions involving virtual currency during the tax year were purchases of virtual currency with real currency,
    (b) held virtual currency in a wallet or account,
    (c) transferred virtual currency from one wallet or account they own or control to another that they own or control, OR
    (d) received virtual currency as an inheritance or gift. ↩︎
  3. In certain cases, you may not be required to pay kiddie tax. Please refer to Instructions for Form 8615. ↩︎
  4. In certain cases, you may not be required to file Form 2210. Please refer to the flowchart in Form 2210. ↩︎