Frequently Asked Questions

What Services are Provided at the VITA Site?

The VITA volunteers can assist in many tax-related activities:

• Filing individual Federal and state returns using e-file
• Explaining educational credits and deductions
• Answering general questions about tax treatments
• FAFSA tax return questions

Where can I get paper IRS reporting forms?

IRS paper forms can be obtained from the IRS web site and local libraries, specifically the Provo Library at Academy Square. The VITA lab DOES NOT supply paper forms for filing taxes. The VITA lab uses strictly e-filing, although VITA volunteers can answer questions regarding paper forms.

Does my spouse need to be there? Can I take forms home to sign?

If you are married and filing jointly, you and your spouse will need to sign each copy of the 8479 Form (declaration for e-file). However, your spouse does not need to be present to file or sign. The necessary forms can be taken home and brought back after you and your spouse have signed them.

What about state income tax?

Each state has different rules regarding state income tax. Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming have no state income tax. Two others, New Hampshire and Tennessee, tax only dividend and interest income. Individual state income tax rates are available here.

Residency for tax reasons is entirely different from residency qualifiactions for in-state tuition. Full year Utah Tax residency should generally be claimed after spending 183 days in state. However, students have flexibility on where they can claim. A general rule of thumb is to claim full-year or part-year residency where the filer made the most money subject to state taxes.

Individual state residency links are available here:

• California
• Colorado
• Idaho
• Montana (PDF, page 12)
• New Mexico (PDF, page 1)
• Oregon
• Utah

Data Retention Policy

If you have questions or concerns regarding our Data Retention Policy, please e-mail the VITA Technology Group at vita@byu.edu.