(Canton, OH) August 11, 2020 – United Way of Greater Stark County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program looked a little different this year, but still held strong to serving more than 2,400 individuals and families.
In 2020, VITA volunteers helped income tax clients in local communities collect over $3 million in tax credits and refunds. 83 local volunteers donated 1,832.10 hours of their time and helped complete 4,836 Federal and State returns so far. Tax returns will continue to be processed through October due to extensions and amendments.
“This year, for the health and safety of our community, we adopted no-touch drop-off and pick-up procedures for our VITA clients,” says Tami Stephens, VITA Site Coordinator for United Way of Greater Stark County. “Our clients appreciated the alternative options and were very grateful that we were still able to do their taxes for them.”
VITA helps clients save money. The average tax return costs $200, and volunteers help find money through the refund process and valuable tax credits, like EITC and ACTC. VITA volunteers receive specialized training from the Internal Revenue Service, and often find tax credits that may be overlooked by other tax assistance programs. This tax season, VITA volunteers identified tax credits equaling $1,090,776.
VITA hosted a successful drive-thru tax filing event on February 29. The drive-thru event allowed for more flexibility for people with busy schedules. Taxpayers dropped off their tax information without leaving their vehicles.
VITA is one of the many programs available through United Way’s Economic Mobility Center, formerly Financial Prosperity Center, programs that give individuals and families the opportunity to build a solid financial foundation for the future. The center offers workshops in financial education and career readiness, plus financial coaching and counseling, benefits application assistance, auto car repairs and more – all services that benefit financial health and stability.
VITA pictures can be found on Facebook @UnitedWayofGreaterStarkCounty
Learn more about VITA by visiting www.uwstark.org/VITA or reach out to Tami Stephens, VITA Site Coordinator, 330-491-9989, [email protected]
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.