CSUN VITA Clinic Educates Community About Taxes, Credit, Finances and More

Armed with information they learned in the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics Master of Science in Taxation (MST) program, CSUN graduate students spread out across the San Fernando Valley in 2024 to conduct informative presentations on tax preparation, credit and other financial topics.

The student presenters led discussions at local libraries
and nonprofit sites, answering questions from community members on an array of financial topics, including tax returns, investing in bitcoin, starting a new business, and credit scores. Drawing on their classroom knowledge and frequently on their professional experience, the presenters provide a free, financial literacy resource for the community.

The presentations are offered by CSUN’s VITA Clinic and supported with funding from Premier America Credit Union.

“Premier America Credit Union is on a mission to bring financial wellness resources to the underserved community,” said Alex Gallardo, Vice President, Community Impact and Financial Wellness, for the Chatsworth-based credit union. “It is through intentional products and services that we uplift our members and community. The VITA Clinic meets people where they are at.”

Gallardo, who is also Executive Director of the Premier America Foundation, said that when he was growing up, discussing taxes and finances was taboo.

“We are here to address the many issues known to create barriers in achieving financial wellness and though partnerships, we can create lasting change for you, our families and community” he said. “Everything I learned was through trial and error and I know there are a lot of people in the same situation. Now we are able to give back and work with organizations like the VITA Clinic, which focuses on helping the community members who need it the most.”

David Agazarian ‘17, works as a CPA at a public accounting firm and recently returned to CSUN for the MST program. He chose being a financial presenter in the community as his culminating experience.

“This is a great service to the community,” Agazarian said. “People really need this. You’d be amazed how many people have absolutely no idea how tax returns even work. The people who go to their public library for this information really need it.”

After a recent presentation he gave on credit scores, Agazarian said a college student in the audience was very appreciative. “He had like a million and one questions and it just made it so worthwhile,” he said. “It means a lot to help people and encourage them to live a lifestyle that’s within their means.”

Paul Hodgson ‘93, is a CPA who returned to the university for his MST. He also served as a financial presenter in 2024, explaining cryptocurrency, how to start a business, and how low-income community members can get free tax preparation services at the CSUN VITA Clinic. He recalls when one man showed up at a local library “in a panic because he had several years of unfiled tax returns.”

“I was able to give him specific guidance on how to get the tax returns prepared and filed,” Hodgson said. “Seeing the relief wash over this guy was really, really rewarding.”