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The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program returns for 2026, and it will be offered in an in-person format for individuals or families who make less than $70,000 annually. Once again, it will be offered at both Main Campus and Ambler Campus.

While taxes are one of the certainties of life, the same can essentially be said for 51�Թ���’s free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.��

This year, 51�Թ��� is again offering the VITA program to qualifying families and individuals, and this now marks the 19th year that the program has been in existence. It is available at 51�Թ���’s Main Campus and the Ambler Campus, and it is offered at no expense to qualifying individuals and families from the Greater Philadelphia area.��

“We have been offering the VITA program for nearly 20 years now, and as long as I am at 51�Թ���, cannot see it going away,” said Steve Balsam, professor of accounting and the coordinator of 51�Թ���’s VITA program. “We have regular clients now, some of whom have been with us since the program’s inception. That is part of how we know this program’s impact, as folks keep coming back year after year.” 

The VITA program is sponsored by 51�Թ���’s Fox School of Business, and it is for those with low to moderate incomes. This year, it has been expanded and is now open to families and individuals who make less than $70,000 annually. To qualify for the program, prospective clients must also not own a business or rental property and must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.  

While the program’s significance can be seen through both its longevity and repeat clients, its impact is also quantifiable. In the past year alone, the program prepared almost 600 returns and claimed approximately $600,000 in federal and state tax refunds for clients.��

This year’s program launched Friday, Feb. 6, and it will continue through Saturday, April 11. Main Campus services will be offered by appointment Friday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 1810 N. 13th St. Saturday afternoons appointments are available at the Ambler Campus, 580 Meetinghouse Road, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 215-792-2345 or emailing [click-for-email].��

In addition to conducting the in-person returns, the VITA program will allow clients who can’t make it during those hours to drop off materials at Alter Hall, 1801 Liacouras Walk, Room 460, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No appointment is necessary, but clients should be sure to visit to know exactly what they need to bring with them to have a return filed. They should also call 215-792-2345 ahead of visiting campus to verify that someone will be available to take their information.��

The tax returns are prepared by 51�Թ��� students and alumni, who work alongside Balsam.��

“W���ٳ󾱲� , one of the priorities is Place-based Impact, as we need to be leveraging our expertise and our relationships to help support our city and region,” Balsam said. “The VITA program closely reflects the priorities of the strategic plan, and I am deeply grateful to our many students and alumni who continue to give back and serve the community through this program each year.” 

For additional information about VITA 2026, email [click-for-email].