Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Workshops
OISS sponsors Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) workshops for UI international students and scholars. Workshop volunteers are certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to assist international students and scholars in preparing non-resident tax returns. Volunteers can also answer questions about Iowa State tax returns and Form 8843.
VITA workshops are open to current nonimmigrant international students and scholars and those who were present at the University of Iowa during the 2009 tax year.
For questions about VITA workshops, please send an email to ip-vita@uiowa.edu.
VITA Workshop Schedule
VITA workshops will be held in the following locations:
*Note: workshops have not been scheduled during spring break.Wednesdays 5-8 p.m. |
Thursdays 5-8 p.m. |
Fridays 2-5 p.m. |
Saturdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|
February 25 Room W13, SSH |
February 26 Room W13, SSH |
February 27 Room N106, LC |
|
March 3 Room W13, SSH |
March 4 Room W13, SSH |
March 5 Room N106, LC |
March 6 Room N106, LC |
March 10 Room W13, SSH |
March 11 Room W13, SSH |
March 12 Room N106, LC |
*March 13 Spring Break |
*March 17 Spring Break |
*March 18 Spring Break |
*March 19 Spring Break |
*March 20 Spring Break |
March 24 Room W13, SSH |
March 25 Room W13, SSH |
March 26 Room W13, SSH |
March 27 Room N106, LC |
March 31 Room W13, SSH |
April 1 Room W13, SSH |
April 2 Room N106, LC |
April 3 Room N106, LC |
April 7 Room W13, SSH |
April 8 Room W13, SSH |
April 9 Room N106, LC |
April 10 Room N106, LC |
April 14 Room W13, SSH |
April 15 Room W13, SSH |
VITA Workshop Checklist
Please bring the following items and information to the workshop:
- Visa/Immigration Status (as indicated on Form I-94 - the white card in your passport)
- Form DS-2019, if J status individual
- Form I-20, if F status individual
- Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (if you have applied for such number, have your receipt or copy of application; if you have not applied, you will do so as a part of this process)
- Address Information (Current U.S. Address if you are still living in the U.S. and Permanent Foreign Address)
- U.S. Entry and Exit Dates and Information about All Prior Visits (Entry/Exit Dates and Immigration Status)
- Academic Institution or Host Sponsor Information
- Forms W-2, 1042-S and/or 1099 (if you received any)
- Scholarship or fellowship grant letters (if you received one from your academic institution or host sponsor)
- A copy of your 2008 federal income tax form (Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ) if you filed a federal income tax return last year
A Warning About Other Tax Services
If you are classified as a non-resident, you may NOT file a resident return. Residency, for tax purposes, is determined by the “Substantial Presence Test.”
Only those who are determined to have "resident" filing status may complete a resident return. Most students and scholars will be classified as non-residents for tax purposes. Some free tax assistance sites have erroneously filed resident returns for non-residents, who were promised larger refunds by this method. This could result in a charge of tax fraud against you, which may jeopardize your legal status. The fact that your preparer erred will not excuse you from liability. Please protect yourself!