2020 Free Tax Preparation

IRS-certified students from the UB School of Management will again provide free tax preparation services to individuals and families with annual incomes below $56,000.  

The service is provided by the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program with volunteers from the UB chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honors organization for accounting and finance students, with help from the UB Accounting Association.

Space is generously provided by the School of Management and the School of Architecture and Planning.

Free tax preparation will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and March 1, 7 and 8.

• Finding the South Campus
• Finding Hayes Hall on UB's South Campus

Free tax preparation will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on March 28, 29 and April 4, 5 and 11.  

• Finding the North Campus
• Finding Jacobs Management Center on UB's North Campus

Q. Do I need to make an appointment to use the free tax preparation service?

A. Tax returns are prepared on a first-come, first-served basis at both the North and South Campus locations.

Q. What materials should I bring on the day of my tax preparation?

A. Participants must bring the following:

1. Proof of identification (state-issued photo ID for each adult, such as valid driver’s license or state-issued ID card);
2. Original Social Security card for each filer and dependent (not a photocopy);
3. If married filing a joint return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
4. Date of birth for self, spouse and dependents;
5. Wage and earning statements (Forms W-2 and 1099) from all employers;
6. Interest and dividend statements (Form 1099);
7. Forms 1095-A, B or C (Affordable Health Care Act Statements);
8. Total paid for day care provider and provider’s tax ID number or Social Security number;
9. A copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns, if available; and
10. Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit.

Q. Am I eligible to use the free tax preparation service if I itemize deductions?

A. The free tax preparation service is only available to filers choosing to take the standard deduction rather than itemized deductions.

Q. Can tax returns be prepared for international students?

A. Tax preparation for nonresident aliens requires special processing that is beyond the scope of the services provided by Beta Alpha Psi. UB international students on a nonimmigrant visa may be eligible to use Sprintax to file their taxes.

Q. Can tax filings be prepared for previous years?

A. This year, volunteers will prepare tax filings for 2019 only.

Q. How do I contact the free tax preparation service?

A. Send requests for more information to mgt-freetaxprep@buffalo.edu. A student volunteer will reply within two business days. 

Note: This service is coordinated by the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, with volunteers from the UB chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honors organization for accounting and finance students and professionals, and UB Accounting Association.

Visit the School of Management's Free Tax Preparation Highlights website to view results from previous years.