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VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is an IRS sponsored program that involves community volunteers helping taxpayers prepare their annual tax returns.
This FREE Income Tax preparation service was first introduced to our community during the 2008 tax year. United Way partners with the IRS each year to provide Free income tax services to individuals or joint-filers with an annual income of $50,000 or less. All Tax Preparers are IRS trained and certified community volunteers.
VITA addresses United Way’s Income Initiative with the ultimate goal of promoting financial stability through financial education and asset building. We want people to receive the FULL refund due them by preparing their tax returns FREE of charge. We want taxpayers, who have waited all year to receive their refund, to wait 7- 10 days longer and receive ALL of their refund instead of taking out high Refund Anticipation Loans (RALS). This is why we have coined the phrase, “It’s Your Money…Keep It!” Above all else, we want taxpayers to use their refund to make a difference in their financial well-being by paying off debt, opening a savings account, and paying their rent(mortgage)/utilities ahead a few months for those unforeseen events that always seem to “pop up” when money’s tight.
Our fixed Tax Site is located at United Center for Community Care and usually opens the third week of January. This site is operational every Monday and Wednesday, 10:00am-1:00pm and Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30pm-6:30pm during the tax season . For our residents' convenience, several one day tax events (roving sites) are established in Greenwood and Abbeville Counties. Appointments for both the fixed and roving sites are encouraged and recommended.
Our VITA program has grown exponentially in the number of returns prepared and the dollar amount returned to Greenwood and Abbeville Counties. The 2012 tax season yielded over 1200 tax returns and nearly $800,000 in refund amount. If you would like to become a VITA volunteer and gain valuable tax preparation experience, utilize your customer service skills, and enhance your résumé all while serving your community, visit our Get Connected site today and join our team.