COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS PARTNER TO OFFER FREE TAX PREPARATION WITH VITA
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites available to low-income families across the region
Pioneer Valley, January 26, 2012 – Springfield Partners for Community Action, Valley Opportunity Council and United Way of Pioneer Valley are joining forces as part of an annual effort to increase tax refunds and credits for low- income families and individuals. Together they will operate and fund several free community tax preparation programs and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout the region.
The VITA program is focused on helping qualifying individuals and families receive free tax services and learn if they are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by properly preparing and filing their Federal tax return. SPCA is celebrating its 10th Anniversary for VITA tax preparation. As part of this celebration they will hold an EITC Awareness Day on Friday, January 27, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at their offices on 721 State Street.
“VITA is an outstanding program and we are excited to join Springfield Partners for this important program,” said Sylvia deHaas Phillips, Senior Vice President of United Way of Pioneer Valley. “Increasing financial stability for families and individuals in our community is one of our priorities.”
VITA sites are an important way for low-income working families to learn about sound financial practices and access the. Each year, over $35 Million in Earned Income Tax Credit refunds are not brought into our area, because low-income residents don’t know they qualify or don’t know how to claim the credit. VITA program volunteers prepared approximately 3,000 tax returns, which generated more than $5 million in tax refunds for local residents last year.
For more information, a complete list of sites and contact information, please visit our website at www.uwpv.org. Information also available on attached flyer.
