Lake Forest College Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides FREE tax services to individuals and families who earned less than $67,000, military taxpayers, persons with disabilities, and Lake Forest College international students. All personal information will be kept confidential.
Appointment Information
The VITA 2025 Pilot Program will run on Sundays from February 9 through April 13, 2025.
Note: There will be no appointments over the College’s Spring Break on March 9 and 16, 2025. Additionally, there will be no appointments on April 6.
- Appointments: Each appointment will be 1 hour (60 minutes). Appointments will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Appointments are required. You must sign up at the first available time opening.
- Location: All appointments will be held in the Donnelley & Lee Library on Middle Campus.
International Student Tax Filing
International Students who attend Lake Forest College are eligible for the VITA program.
Documents – what to bring
What documents do you need?
Identification:
- Valid photo ID for tax filers (examples: driver's license, School ID, State ID, Military ID, National ID, Visa, Passport)
- Original Social Security cards or ITIN letters for everyone listed on the tax return
- Bank information (bank account and routing number)
- 2023 tax return (if you have it)
- Your state refund from tax year 2023 (if you have it)
Documents Received:
- W-2 Form: Wage and Tax Statement if you had a job in the U.S.
- 1099 Forms: Any 1099 forms received (Interest Income (1099-INT), Compensation (1099-G), Miscellaneous Income (1099-MISC), Dividend Income (1099-DIV), Retirement Plan Distribution (1099 R), Cancellation of Debt (1099 C))
- 1042 S form (if received from Business Office; F-1 students will not receive this form until mid/late February)
- I 20 if F status; DS-2019 if J status
- U.S. entry and exit dates for current and past visits to the U.S.
- 1095 A or 1095 B Forms: Health Insurance Marketplace Statement or proof of health insurance coverage
- 1098 T Form: Tuition Statement
- 1098 E Form: Student Loan Interest Statement
Personal Records:
- Education expenses
- Medical expenses
Additional Resources:
- International Student Tax Presentation
- Information on additional tax support for all students shared by the Business Office
- IRS: Filing | Internal Revenue Service
If you have any questions about the VITA program, email VITA@lakeforest.edu.
Community Tax Filing
Community members who earned less than $67,000 per year (individuals and families), military taxpayers, and persons with disabilities are eligible for the VITA program.
Documents – what to bring
The following is a list of documents needed for you, your spouse (if filing jointly), and any dependents.
Identification:
- Valid photo ID for tax filers (examples: driver's license, School ID, State ID, Military ID, National ID, Visa, Passport)
- Original Social Security cards or ITIN letters for everyone listed on the tax return
- Bank information (bank account and routing number)
- 2023 tax return (if you have it)
- Your state refund from tax year 2023 (if you have it)
Documents Received:
- W-2 Form: Wage and Tax Statement
- 1099 Forms: Any 1099 forms received (Interest Income (1099-INT), Compensation (1099-G), Miscellaneous Income (1099-MISC), Dividend Income (1099-DIV), Retirement Plan Distribution (1099 R), Cancellation of Debt (1099 C))
- 1095 A or 1095 B Forms: Health Insurance Marketplace Statement or proof of health insurance coverage
- 1098 T Form: Tuition Statement
- 1098 E Form: Student Loan Interest Statement
- 1099 SSA: Social Security Benefit Statement (if applicable)
- 1098 Form: Mortgage Interest Statement (homeowners)
- W-2G Form: Gambling Winnings
Personal Records:
- Child and dependent care expenses
- Education expenses
- Medical expenses
- Charitable contributions
- Retirement contributions
- Receipts for energy saving improvements on homes (homeowner)
If you have any questions about the VITA program, email VITA@lakeforest.edu.