Free Tax Return Preparation for Los Angeles Residents

For the 14th consecutive year Cal State LA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (CSLA VITA) Program provides electronic tax preparation for Los Angeles residents and electronic filing services, at no cost to taxpayers.

The CSLA VITA Program is co-sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service, California Department of Community Service and Development, State Farm Insurance Corporation and H&R Block.

Federal and California tax returns are prepared, quality reviewed and electronically filed in Cal State LA’s computer labs. IRS certified students and faculty utilize collaborative strategies to provide tax advocacy, prepare tax returns and disseminate information to low-to-middle-income, elderly, disabled, and limited English speaking taxpayers.

The CSLA VITA Program has a two-fold purpose: 1) Tax Preparation and Financial Literacy Services for the community members, and 2) Service-Learning and Community-Citizenship for the CSLA students. The Program is aimed to assist low-to-middle-income taxpayers, earning less than $55,000 annually, who cannot afford professional tax preparation services. In 2018, one hundred and fifteen Cal State LA students enrolled in the CSLA VITA Program, prepared 1,650 tax returns and generated $1.82 million tax refunds for taxpayers.