VITA Program

Beyond Careers has been a registered community partner with the Internal Revenue Service - Stakeholder Partnerships. Education & Communication (IRS-SPEC) and provided governmental services since 2004.  Beyond Careers was established as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)  site with the IRS-SPEC in 2008, to provide free tax preparation for taxpayers in the low-to-moderate income bracket with income under $58,000 per year. Since the 2013 tax season, Beyond Careers has had a mobile VITA program. 

VITA program returns thousands of dollars in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) and other tax credits to these taxpayers.  We are able to e-file tax returns using IRS approved, online software. We also provide direct deposit at no cost for qualified taxpayers.

Volunteers are trained and IRS-Certified at a minimum of the Advanced level and covered under the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997.

Our VITA program has reached the $1,066,000 mark for tax refunds and savings in tax preparation fees for taxpayers in the low-to-moderate-income bracket.

Able to complete your own tax return?

Facilitated Self Assistance (FSA) is the URL where taxpayers will be able to complete their own tax return at no cost. http://www.myfreetaxes.com/

Financial Aid U Program

We provide eligible students and their parents assistances in applying for federal grants with our Financial Aid U program.  VITA and Financial Aid U programs will educate the eligible low-moderate income students and parents about the required tax information and preparation needed to apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Financial Aid U Program benefits:

• VITA / FAFSA mobile one-stop process to ensure expedient and accurate tax processing
• Complete their federal taxes and submit them directly to FAFSA website
• Connect directly to Internal Revenue Service data retrieval to link their tax return
• Direct access by your personal computer or smartphone

Financial Education Asset Building

Beyond Careers, and its financial institution partners, provide financial education and asset building which helps taxpayers in the low-to-moderate income bracket learn and apply effective household management and budgeting techniques. We help increase the financial education of low-wage earning households, by linking EITC to affordable banking services, financial literacy, and savings and asset-building options. 

Internship Program

Students interested in an unpaid Internship to become IRS-Certified tax-preparer volunteer will receive hands-on experience with real world situations through service-learning. The VITA internship consists of on-line and/or in-person training at the advance level. A VITA certificate will be automatically generated upon successful completion of the IRS-Certified training.  Students who excel in Mathematic or Finance in high school or college can greatly benefit from this program. The intern can include this milestone on their college and scholarship application, job applications and their resume.

Beyond Careers Education Symposiums

Beyond Careers has completed five (5) consecutive years of its Annual Education Symposiums which began in 2012.  High school student had access to presenters from the Houston, TX and the surrounding area who mentored them in post-secondary education opportunities.   The presenters engaged and helped the students discover different careers they could pursue based on the presenters careers.  Presenters were leaders from various sectors such as Community College trustee, Interim Community College president, School Board trustee, president of a Chamber of Commerce, president of Financial Awareness Society, and a Certified Public Accountant.  Supporters of the Symposium included a Community College chancellor, a State Representative and City Council members.  These events are open to parents, Veterans and the community.