CU Boulder students offer free tax help through revived VITA program

Need help with your taxes this season? Starting in mid-February, trained students—many from the Leeds School of Business—will offer free, in-person tax preparation through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, known as VITA.

The service, which runs Feb. 20 through April 11, 2026, is available to qualifying taxpayers, including students, lower-income filers, seniors, people with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency. 

Hosted in the Koelbel Building, home of the Leeds School of Business, the student-led program is part of a nationwide IRS initiative to make tax filing more accessible. CU Boulder’s program offers free tax preparation for the community while giving students hands-on, real-world experience. 

“It’s really about helping people navigate the process and get their taxes done correctly,” said Nicole Lazzeri, assistant teaching professor at Leeds who advises the VITA program. “For many taxpayers, filing can feel intimidating or overwhelming. We help them understand their situation and make sure everything is accurate.”

A program with deep roots

Leeds has a long history with VITA, helping Boulder County residents file thousands of tax returns over a 10-year period leading up to 2019. After a pause spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, the program is returning in 2026 with a renewed focus on community impact and experiential learning.

While it was historically led by faculty and community volunteers, graduate students—including Masters in Accounting and Masters in Taxation students—now play a central role in running the program.

“Students get real-world experience working one-on-one with taxpayers,” Lazzeri said. “They’re not just learning tax law in the abstract—they’re applying it to situations that really matter for families.”

Who the program helps

The IRS VITA program has operated nationally for more than 50 years, serving taxpayers who typically earn $67,000 or less, as well as seniors, people with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency. All services are free. Other VITA sites are located throughout Colorado at community centers, libraries and other convenient locations, and campus-based VITA programs are common nationwide, providing both educational opportunities for students and free tax help for community members.

At CU Boulder, student volunteers must pass IRS certification exams before preparing returns. Each return is reviewed for quality and accuracy, following IRS standards for confidentiality and oversight.

“Students in the program are trained and certified, and we guide them throughout the process,” Lazzeri said. “Faculty advisors and experienced VITA volunteers make sure every return is accurate, and students receive support every step of the way.”

More than a refund

While refunds often draw attention, Lazzeri said the program’s value goes beyond the dollar amount.

“It’s really important to get your taxes done right,” she said. “Filing accurately helps people avoid IRS letters or delays, and using VITA gives them confidence that their return is correct.”

For students, the experience offers practical training, particularly for those pursuing careers in accounting, finance and taxation.

“It’s eye-opening for students to see how the tax code affects people’s real lives,” Lazzeri said. “They learn that even technical rules have real consequences for families, and that perspective stays with them.”

How to sign up

Sign-ups open in early February, with in-person tax preparation starting Feb. 20 and running through April 11. For more information and to schedule an appointment, visit the CU Boulder VITA page.