It’s tax season and VITA is ready to assist local residents with free tax filing

(Canton, OH) January 14, 2020 – United Way of Greater Stark County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is now scheduling appointments for the 2020 tax return season.

VITA assists individuals and families who have an income of $65,000 or less by filing their taxes for free. VITA volunteers work with clients to identify tax credits that are often overlooked, while helping people avoid the high cost of paid preparers and predatory lenders. Clients filing with direct deposit can typically expect a refund in 7-10 days.

Last tax season, United Way of Greater Stark County and its 106 IRS-certified VITA volunteers helped income tax clients in Stark, Carroll and Tuscarawas counties collect over $3.8 million in tax credits and refunds. Volunteer tax preparers donated 2,685 hours of their time in 83 clinics and helped complete 5,425 Federal and State returns.

“VITA helps taxpayers in our community save a substantial amount of money, bringing more money back into local businesses and stimulating the economy,” says United Way of Greater Stark County’s President & CEO Maria Heege.

Tax clinics are scheduled at multiple locations throughout Stark, Carroll and Tuscarawas Counties, so volunteer tax preparers and those filing tax returns have many opportunities to participate.

Clinic locations include Carroll County District Library, CSE Federal Credit Union, DoverPhila Federal Credit Union, Massillon Recreation Center, OhioMeansJobs (Stark & Tuscarawas Counties), Rodman Library (Alliance), Stark County District Libraries (Main, East Canton, Madge Youtz and Sandy Valley), Stark State College, United Way of Greater Stark County and Walsh University. Other sites may be announced throughout the season.

The clinics will start approximately January 29, 2020 and run through April 15, 2020. Clinic times may vary, based on location. VITA only accepts clients who have scheduled appointments. For an appointment please call 330-994-VITA (8482) beginning January 6, 2020. The appointment call center will be open Monday through Thursday, from 10:00AM to 5:00PM. VITA will accept dropped-off taxes at the United Way offices downtown, February 10 to April 6 on Mondays from 930AM – 530PM.

VITA will also hold events throughout the tax season that make it easier to accommodate residents’ busy schedules: a two-day tax-a-thon (January 31 & February 1) and two drive-thru drop-off events (February 29 & March 28).

“The VITA events increase awareness of our free program and make it a little easier for taxpayers to file their taxes,” explains VITA Site Coordinator Tami Stephens. “We help people access the tax credits for which they are qualified, while saving them money spent on filing fees, typically about $270.”

The service was named “Ohio Benefit Bank Site of the Year” by the Ohio Association of Food Banks for the past 5 years. VITA was also voted one of the top three tax services in Stark County in The Canton Repository’s Readers’ Choice Awards in the past few years.

To schedule an appointment, visit www.uwstark.org/vita or call 330-994-VITA (8482), Monday – Thursday, 10AM – 5PM.

About United Way of Greater Stark County
United Way of Greater Stark County fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We win by living United. By forging unlikely partnerships. By finding new solutions to old problems. By mobilizing the best resources. And by inspiring individuals to join the fight against their community’s most daunting social crisis. Our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities in Greater Stark County. In order to live better, we must live United. For more information about United Way of Greater Stark County visit www.uwstark.org. Offices are at 401 Market Avenue North, Suite 300, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330) 491-0445.