JMU to offer free tax preparation, e-file services

James Madison University’s College of Business students and faculty are offering free tax return preparation services to community members with annual household incomes up to $68,000.  

To provide the best customer service possible, the JMU Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will change to a drop off service. This is a major change for the 2024 tax season. Clients will drop off the information required for their return during their scheduled appointment time and return the following week to finalize and file the return.   

Appointments are still required. To schedule an appointment, please visit https://jmutaxprep.as.me/  

• Choose an appointment date and time.  
• Fill in your information.  

Assistance is available by calling 540-568-7776 or by sending an email to vita@jmu.edu.  

Here are a few changes that may affect taxpayers this tax season:   

• There are higher standard deductions for 2024.
• The earned income tax credit (EITC) may reduce taxes for low- and middle-income workers earning up to $66,819 for 2024. This is the maximum and based on the filing status and number of dependents.  
• The Child Tax Credit of $2,000 and the Child and Dependent Care Credit maximum of $2,100 is the same as 2023.   

JMU’s VITA program assisted more than 500 taxpayers last year.  

For more information, please visit https://www.jmu.edu/cob/accounting/vita.shtml.