Tax season can be the most stressful time of the year for some people, but for qualifying Cal State Fullerton students, it does not have to be. The IRS-certified group Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is doing free on-campus tax services for low-income families and individuals, starting Feb. 15.

For all singles with an income of $40,000 or less, families of three with an income of $45,000 or less, or families of four with an income of $50,000 or less, VITA will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to help with filing taxes.

They are available Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in McCarthy Hall Room 565, and on Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Langsdorf Hall Room 203-A.

VITA does require certain documents to assist students. They need valid photo identification, social security cards for each person (the taxpayer, the spouse and any dependents), any wage and earning statements, a copy of last year’s tax return and bank routing and account numbers. Any other information regarding finances or income should be brought as well.

The taxes will be done by CSUF students who volunteer.

This is the sixth year that this program has been helping students with their taxes at CSUF.

Eliseo Cabrera, 22, a finance and economics major, has been volunteering for three years.

For Cabrera, the benefits of gaining experience for himself and his resume are matched only by the benefits for those who come to get this free service.

“Just the fact of not having to go to H & R Block, or some CPA (certified public accountant) and paying $200 upfront, they could have just gone to this service here for free,” said Cabrera.

After doing 287 tax returns last year, Cabrera anticipates the turnout will be even larger.

“Once I posted our club advertising on the student portal, I’ve gotten over, like, 50 phone calls requesting more information or just more details about the program,” Cabrera said.

Warren Doller, 22, an accounting and finance major, has been volunteering for two years and heeds a warning for those who are tax procrastinators.

“Come early. Come as soon as it starts in February or in March. Avoid coming in the last few weeks because the wait times are longer,” said Doller.

Cabrera and Doller said they also recommend going right as they open, as the cut off time for the intake of clients is 45 to 60 minutes before they close, depending on how busy it is that day.

Not only is it offered on campus, it is also offered at the Irvine Campus and the Placentia Whitten Center.

The offering of VITA’s services is a relief for 21-year-old English major Kelsey Rogers. For students who are busy with school, work and other social activities, Rogers anticipates that there might be little to no time for people to do their taxes on their own.

“I didn’t know that they provided this service, but I do know that there are a lot of people who struggle with doing their taxes on their own every year, so it is a really great service that they are providing for students who maybe do not have the time to do it themselves, or are finding it difficult to do it themselves,” said Rogers.

Rogers, who works and is a full-time student, said he is excited for the opportunity to get her taxes done for free thanks to VITA.

“Yeah, it sounds really interesting. I might have to check it out,” Rogers said.

The filing, which can take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours, can be made easier with preparation.

Cabrera and Doller strongly recommend having all documents in hand and in order so that they can help quickly, easily and more accurately.

More information on the VITA program can be found at clubs.fullerton.edu/vita/.