How Bizora Trained USC VITA Volunteers to Simplify Tax Research

On November 19, Bizora’s Founder, Adam, visited the University of Southern California to train members of the USC Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The goal was simple: help volunteers understand how Bizora can make tax research faster, clearer, and less stressful as they prepare for the upcoming season.

USC VITA is known for its strong community impact. Every year, the program supports a wide range of taxpayers who rely on student volunteers for free, reliable tax preparation. These volunteers often face questions that require quick and accurate research, and this training was designed to help them move through those situations with more confidence.

The session brought together about forty volunteers and was organized by Annie Chhor and Joseph Oh, Co-Presidents of the USC VITA program, who coordinated the event and ensured everything ran smoothly.

What the training covered

The training focused on how Bizora supports volunteers when client questions become complex. Many students shared that they often switch between several online resources, textbooks, and IRS documents. This takes time and disrupts their workflow. Bizora brings everything into one place so volunteers can find what they need without jumping between multiple sources.

During the session, volunteers learned how to:

• Use Bizora to research tax topics more quickly

• Review Code sections, regulations, and IRS guidance in a single view

• Understand complex rules through clearer explanations

• Stay accurate when preparing returns for clients with unusual situations

• Build more confidence when answering questions under time pressure

The goal was not to replace the learning process but to give volunteers a tool that reduces guesswork, improves accuracy, and helps them move faster when the site becomes busy.

Why USC VITA’s Partnership with Bizora Matters

The partnership between USC VITA and Bizora is part of Bizora’s Impact Program, which supports student-led tax clinics, nonprofits, and VITA sites across the country. These organizations serve taxpayers who may not have access to paid support, so accuracy and speed are essential during peak months.

By providing USC VITA volunteers with access to Bizora, the program is helping students reduce research time, avoid common errors, and strengthen the support they provide to clients. It also prepares them for future careers in accounting or tax, where modern research tools are becoming standard.

How This Benefits the Community and Volunteers

For clients who rely on USC VITA, this partnership means a smoother, more reliable experience.

Volunteers will spend less time searching for answers and more time walking clients through their returns with clarity. It also helps reduce the stress students feel when unexpected situations arise, giving them a practical way to confirm the right steps and continue their work without unnecessary delays.

For volunteers, Bizora becomes a tool that supports both learning and performance. When questions get complicated, they now have a simple way to verify their decisions and stay on track.

What’s Next for USC VITA and Bizora

With the training complete, USC VITA volunteers now have a practical tool they can rely on throughout the season. Bizora will continue supporting the program through the Impact Program and will be available to help with questions, updates, and additional needs as the team prepares for a busy tax season.

This partnership is an early step, but it already gives volunteers a stronger foundation. They now have access to a research tool built to save time, reduce stress, and help them deliver a better experience to the community they serve.

For VITA sites and tax clinics interested in support

The Bizora Impact Program is open to VITA sites, university tax clinics, nonprofits, and community organizations that want to simplify tax research for their teams. The goal is to help volunteers and staff reduce the time spent searching for answers and give them a clearer path to accurate guidance.

If your organization is interested in exploring a partnership or learning how Bizora can support your team during the next tax season, you can reach out to us. We are always ready to support programs doing meaningful work in their communities.