
Home JCBA Home Page HJ School Website SCUSD Website Programs HJ HealthyWay About Media Information Log In VITA Information News Events Clubs Location Awards Quote Business Products Donation JCBA Staff Mr. Brown Mr. Epperson Mrs. Konvalin Ms. McAllistar Mr. Fleming Mr. Bedford Ms. Stanley Support Grad Requirements Zangle FastWeb Careers Games Grade Calculator Blogs Privacy Policy
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) This program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income people who cannot prepare their own taxes. Students volunteer their time and effort, striving to help taxpayers get as much refunds as possible. They must undergo thirty hours of training before being certified to help prepare taxes. VITA sites are generally located at schools, community centers, library, and other conventional locations. There were over ten committed Hiram Johnson students that dedicated their time and service to the community. The program begins training volunteers during December and test the students near the end of January. Once students pass the test, they are officially qualified tax volunteers. The first session took place at Grant High School with great success. Volunteers was given breakfast and news programs came to interview the volunteers in action. One remarkable VITA student said "People do not realize they are paying too much for getting their taxes done. Hiram Johnson has a program called VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). It’s composed of highly trained student who can provide free tax returns to everyone and anyone around the community. Students will be able to gain business experiences and customer service skills. Their opportunity of obtaining jobs will increase from the skills they gain from this program. Last year VITA returned $800,000 to tax payers. This year members have increase drastically. The program will be running every year and any students who are interested are welcome to join." During 2011, VITA successfully filed 176 returns with a tota lof $320,000 Federal Refund. This contrasting federal refund compared to last years was because of the economy's high unemployment rate and there were several more VITA groups. Students were motivated to join for credit, but after a few sessions, VITA left an impact on the students. Their motivation changed as they were contributing to the community and leaving large smiles on families. This warm feeling made students realize the motive for joining VITA was more than just for credits, but to help and assist low income families. "I do it for the satisfaction of others and for myself. I don't see that much of a change, but I hope that there is not much of a change in the future where the customers will be happy and will be given the joy. Why I chose to do this at the beginning, well there was no particular reason. I was just doing it for the credits, but as time passed by, while helping others I feel a sense of compassion and I feel like I can expand on that relation and network." - Sheng Huang (Intermediate Tax Preparer)

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) This program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income people who cannot prepare their own taxes. Students volunteer their time and effort, striving to help taxpayers get as much refunds as possible. They must undergo thirty hours of training before being certified to help prepare taxes. VITA sites are generally located at schools, community centers, library, and other conventional locations. There were over ten committed Hiram Johnson students that dedicated their time and service to the community. The program begins training volunteers during December and test the students near the end of January. Once students pass the test, they are officially qualified tax volunteers. The first session took place at Grant High School with great success. Volunteers was given breakfast and news programs came to interview the volunteers in action.

One remarkable VITA student said "People do not realize they are paying too much for getting their taxes done. Hiram Johnson has a program called VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). It’s composed of highly trained student who can provide free tax returns to everyone and anyone around the community. Students will be able to gain business experiences and customer service skills. Their opportunity of obtaining jobs will increase from the skills they gain from this program. Last year VITA returned $800,000 to tax payers. This year members have increase drastically. The program will be running every year and any students who are interested are welcome to join."

During 2011, VITA successfully filed 176 returns with a tota lof $320,000 Federal Refund. This contrasting federal refund compared to last years was because of the economy's high unemployment rate and there were several more VITA groups.

Students were motivated to join for credit, but after a few sessions, VITA left an impact on the students. Their motivation changed as they were contributing to the community and leaving large smiles on families. This warm feeling made students realize the motive for joining VITA was more than just for credits, but to help and assist low income families.

"I do it for the satisfaction of others and for myself. I don't see that much of a change, but I hope that there is not much of a change in the future where the customers will be happy and will be given the joy. Why I chose to do this at the beginning, well there was no particular reason. I was just doing it for the credits, but as time passed by, while helping others I feel a sense of compassion and I feel like I can expand on that relation and network." - Sheng Huang (Intermediate Tax Preparer)