Students in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) are giving back to the Los Angeles community, one tax return at a time. VITA is an IRS-sponsored, student-run organization at the USC Marshall School of Business, providing free services for anyone in the community who needs extra tax support.

This year, VITA filed 1,295 tax returns, securing over $1.2 million in federal and state refunds for individuals and families in the Los Angeles area, the organization’s largest amount since 2020.

To expand their outreach, VITA partnered with more than 10 universities, community organizations, and corporate professionals from EY, KPMG, Deloitte, and other firms across Southern California.

Together, the student organization and firms hosted tax literacy workshops, trained volunteers from other Southern California colleges, and provided specialized support for people that faced unique challenges with tax filing.

“A big part of our mission is to make [tax filing] accessible and stress-free because financial empowerment isn’t just about filing a return — It’s also about building the tools to succeed long-term,” said Justin Hsu ’25, president of VITA and graduate of the USC Leventhal School of Accounting.

In addition, VITA assisted several USC students in launching their ventures by offering guidance on accounting and business structure.

“Supporting entrepreneurship has been an exciting new direction for us,” Hsu said. “We’re proud to help people, both in our neighborhood and on our campus, lay the financial groundwork for their future.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the student organization will continue to elevate the VITA experience for both the volunteers and clients they serve. With emphasis on advancing their training and strengthening their community, business administration student and incoming co-president Joseph Oh’s vision extends beyond the numbers; he hopes to build a sustainable ecosystem that will help VITA flourish in the years to come.

Through referrals and local advertising, VITA’s program provides student volunteers with valuable hands-on experience in tax preparation developing both technical and interpersonal skills by pairing them with clients to serve.

“Being able to create a culture of belonging and shared purpose is key,” said Annie Chhor, accounting student and incoming co-president of VITA. “We want to build an environment where volunteers feel connected, supported, and inspired to grow not just as tax preparers, but as leaders.”

Ultimately, VITA hopes to build lasting connections, promote financial empowerment, and ensure the Trojan Network and local community feel supported and represented.