50 YEARS & COUNTING:
VITA PROGRAM HELPS
UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
WITH THEIR TAXES
In 1969 the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
program began operations providing free, high quality
tax preparation for low to moderate income taxpayers.
Currently, VITA is a matching grant program powered
by IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers. VITA started
50 years ago, and since 2008 has been classified
as a demonstration pilot program – requiring an
authorization from Congress every year. On Thursday,
June 13, 2019 Congress passed a bill that made the
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program permanent
and the bill, H.R. 3151 – The Taxpayer First Act, was
signed into law on July 1, 2019.
United Way of Volusia Flagler Counties has been
participating in the VITA program since 2004 and we
have one of the highest volunteer retention rates in
the State of Florida. Our VITA volunteers in Volusia and
Flagler Counties have advanced level tax preparation
certification, are recertified each year to ensure they are
up to date on current tax laws, and are trained to identify
taxpayer's eligibility for federal tax credits to help
families get the most accurate returns. In 2018 United
Way of Volusia Flagler Counties had 142 VITA volunteers
that prepared over 3,000 tax returns, which saved the
average family or individual over $250.00.
As a whole is it is well documented that our Low-to-
Moderate Income earners do not have $400.00 in savings
or in their regular budget to handle an emergency
should one arise. Therefore, tax time could ultimately
be a beginning to a savings opportunity for most. When
visiting one of our VITA sites, tax volunteer preparers
will encourage tax payers to take advantage of this tax
time savings opportunity and think about their long term
financial plans.
Volusia and Flagler VITA tax site locations will be opening
on February 1, 2020. For a current listing of dates, times,
and what documents you will need to bring with you,
please visit: https://www.unitedwayvfc.org/VITA-6-41.
html. If you need additional information you can contact
United Way Volusia-Flagler Counties ‘Campaign for
Working Families’ at 386-253-0563 or visit us online at:
https://www.unitedwayvfc.org/.
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