TaxFellows is a division of YTPS, Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with the mission to make tax services accessible to all.
TaxFellows was founded in 2022 by Jack Mao, a Stanford student and credentialed tax professional, after he noticed recurring issues that plagued under-resourced communities when it came to taxes. His personal connection to these communities led him on a pursuit to mitigate these issues using his professional background. With extensive collaboration between various stakeholders, volunteers, and the communities, TaxFellow soon became a broader initiative that will improve thousands of lives each year.
Currently, TaxFellows has partnered with the IRS and Stanford's Haas Center for Public Service to provide free tax preparation services through the VITA program. We are currently developing a more comprehensive tax prep and advising program and a support fund for Stanford students.
TaxFellows relies heavily on the work of volunteers and partners to achieve its mission. Please consider becoming a volunteer to help underserved communities obtain free tax services! Sign up here.
The 2023 team includes the following individuals:
Jack Mao, Enrolled Agent - VITA Site Coordinator, CEO
Christine Hseuh, Enrolled Agent - VITA Assistant Site Coordinator
Maria Hernandez - CFO
Ryan Yarborough - VITA volunteer
Katie Han - VITA volunteer
Litong Nie - VITA volunteer
Thomas Saito - VITA volunteer
This list does not include team members who does not wish to publicize their names. There are 7 credentialed professionals on the team.
VITA Program - Offered in partnership with the IRS, this service provides free tax preparation services by IRS-certified and trained volunteers to taxpayers with an annual income of $60,000 or less
Educational Outreach - Offered in partnership with Stanford's Mind Over Money
Tax Advocacy - Town hall meetings with federal and state legislators to address inefficient and inequitable provisions within the income tax system
We are working to expand our offering to include the following services. Please fill out this form to let us know which ones you are excited about!
Pro Bono Tax Prep - Service provided by credentialed tax professionals to prepare certain tax returns outside the scope of the VITA program for free
Tax Advising - Free service provided by credentialed tax professionals to advise taxpayers on personalized tax saving strategies and IRS notices
CAA Acceptance Program - Expedites ITIN application processing
University Support Fund - For students facing unexpected tax liabilities
All qualifying taxpayers with annual income of $60,000 or less with no out of scope situations can get their tax return prepared for free by an IRS-certified tax "fellow" (volunteer)!
Update (April 20): To help us better prepare for the 2024 tax season, we will be shutting down our site early. Our final service will be held on Saturday, April 22. If you are still in need of assistance, please click here to find another VITA site near you, or seek a tax professional (CPA or EA credentialed professionals are recommended). We appreciate your support and we hope to see you again next year!
If you are an existing client and have concerns regarding the tax return we have prepared for you, please reach out to us via email at support [at] taxfellows [dot] org or by phone at 650-485-1396. You may also contact the IRS at 800-829-1040. We do not have a physical location during off season.
Click here to get notified about updates to the TaxFellows VITA program.
TaxFellows would not exist without the support of our partners, volunteers, the communities we serve, and the general public (that's you!). Please consider contributing to our mission in one of the following ways.
Write to Us - If our work has been or will be tremendously impactful for you, please tell us your story (anonymity will be honored). Your story will be extremely helpful for us to gain and maintain the support of stakeholders as we expand our services.
Write to Us
Volunteer - The support from our volunteers is crucial for our operations, and our areas of need vary widely from tax to administrative to general support. As long as you love helping others, we would love to have you!
Be a Volunteer
Donate - Professional tax services can cost an average of hundreds of dollars per year! Not with us. If you contribute just $25, you would have funded at least one individual or family to have their tax return prepared by us! All donations are tax deductible.
Donate Today
