University of Richmond students are again offering free tax preparation services to eligible residents this tax season, marking the university’s 15th consecutive year participating in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

UR operates one of 11 tax preparation sites within United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg’s Tax Assistance Program. The site, run by the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement and the Robins School of Business, is at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Richmond. 

Individuals and families with income of $69,000 or less may schedule an appointment or walk in for assistance. 

“Working through the VITA program, Robins School of Business students offer free tax preparation services for our community,” said Sasha Hollister, assistant director of community relationships and place-based engagement at the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement. “These students learn the value of civic engagement, gain experience working with clients, and provide real-world impact by saving our Richmond neighbors the expense of tax preparation.” 

More than 80 UR students, along with other community volunteers, became IRS-certified to support this year’s program. Last year, students prepared more than 800 tax returns. 

Virginia State University is also providing free tax services, continuing a nearly four-decade tradition of community outreach. 

For the 39th consecutive year, VSU accounting majors are partnering with the IRS to offer income tax preparation and electronic filing assistance for 2025 single and joint filers through the VITA program. The effort is housed in the Reginald F. Lewis College of Business and serves low- to moderate-income and elderly residents in the Tri-Cities area — Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial Heights. 

Services are available to individuals and joint filers with a combined income of $67,000 or less. 

“Thirty-nine years of offering this essential service to Tri-Cities residents is an extraordinary achievement,” said Theodore R. Andrews Jr., assistant professor of accounting and VITA manager. 

The VSU site will be staffed Mondays and Tuesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m., Feb. 9 through April 9, except during spring break March 8-15 and on days the university is closed. To schedule a VSU appointment, call (804) 524-5842. Information about UR’s services is available through the VITA program website.