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VITA

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is a service from United Way of Greater Stark County that helps moderate to low-income households meet basic needs and build financial assets as they continue to achieve long-term financial independence.

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The impact of VITA

Trained volunteers help individuals file returns for free, looking for all possible deductions and credits. Since 2013, United Way of Greater Stark County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program volunteers have helped bring $3.3M back into the community this year through tax credits and refunds.  

Volunteer

Make a difference this tax season by serving as a VITA volunteer! We offer flexible hours — typically four to five hours per week from January through April — and no previous experience is required. Our volunteers receive free, specialized training and can serve in a variety of roles, including greeter, tax preparer and quality reviewer. VITA accountant and attorney volunteers may be eligible to receive CPE and/or CLE credits.  

With clinics throughout Stark and Carroll counties, we can help you find a location that is convenient and one that meets your time commitment! With clinics throughout Stark and Carroll counties, we can help you find a location that is convenient and one that meets your time commitment! We offer flexible hours and seek volunteers who would commit to 4 to 8 hours per week throughout tax season (mid-Jan- mid-Apr).  All volunteers receive free, specialized training and various levels of IRS Certification. There are opportunities for receiving Continuing Education Credits. 

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Types of VITA volunteer opportunities

Tax Clinic Volunteers: Greeter/screeners at the tax clinics who are available to ensure taxpayers feel welcomed and can verify required documents taxpayers need to receive services and to determine the type of tax assistance they need. Trained and supported by our VITA Team to become IRS-Certified.  

Tax Preparers and Quality Reviewers: Take the time to ensure taxpayers feel welcomed, provide basic and advanced tax preparation and participate in the quality review process to check returns prepared by other volunteer preparers. Trained and supported by our VITA Team to become IRS-Certified and will need to be comfortable with computers.  

Contact us at 330-491-9989 for more information or complete the volunteer application.  

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Volunteer requirements

Register to volunteer
  • Basic computer proficiency  
  • Willingness to work with diverse populations  
  • Flexibility to assist in other areas, as directed by the site coordinator  
  • Ability to successfully complete IRS tax law and e-file training and certification program (tax preparers and quality reviewers only)  
FAQs

VITA frequently asked questions

  • Why should I use VITA to file my taxes? 
    • FREE: Your tax refund belongs in your pocket. While other rapid refund services charge hefty fees and interest rates, VITA is entirely free for those who qualify.

    • FAST: When you file electronically, you’ll receive your tax refund in your bank account within a few weeks at no additional cost.

    • ACCURATE: Our IRS-certified volunteers undergo extensive training and testing to ensure your tax return is prepared and filed correctly.

  • Do I qualify for VITA? 
    • United Way of Greater Stark County uses free tax software from the TaxSlayer, which sets the earned income limits permissible for free tax preparation. VITA-qualified taxpayers include:

          - Low to moderate income households earning under $60,000 per year.
      - Taxpayers with disabilities
      - Elderly

      Certain income may be out of scope for our free tax preparation services, including:

          - Farm income
      - Other gains and losses
      - Schedule C itemized expenses of more than $5,000
      - Rental income and schedule K
      - Bitcoin

  • Do I qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit?  
    • The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit issued by the federal government to low-income taxpayers. To claim the EITC, the IRS requires that you earn regular income from a job in the form of wages, tips, commissions, and/or salaries. This income cannot exceed $63,398 and Investment income must be below $11,000 for the tax year 2023.

      Additional requirements for claiming without a qualifying child include:

          - Having your main home in the United States for more than half the tax year (special rules),
      - Not being claimed as a qualifying child on anyone else’s return, and
      - Be at least age 25, but under 65 (at least one spouse must meet the age rule)

      You may qualify for the EITC and receive $6,000+ per taxpaying family.

      Check if you Qualify

  • What should I bring to my drop-off appointment?  
    • Please bring the following documents to your appointment:

          - A copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns (or a transcript)
      - Photo ID or proof of identification for you and your spouse if filing jointly (no copies)
      - Social security cards for you, your spouse, and ALL dependents (no copies) (An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number assignment letter may be substituted if social security numbers are not available)
      - Birth dates for you, your spouse, and dependents
      - Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc) from all employers.
      - Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
      - Student Loan Interest and Tuition Statement
      - If you purchased Health Insurance through the “Marketplace” you MUST bring your 1095-A
      - Blank check or proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit (Deposit slips are not acceptable)
      - Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number, such as a social security number or Business Employer Identification Number
      - If the IRS has sent you an Identity Protection Pin#, please bring it with you.

      Please note that to file taxes electronically on a married-filing joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

  • Can I file my own taxes online for free?
    • Yes. You can file your taxes online for free at MyFreeTaxes.

Download our brochure today to distribute and spread the word about free tax preparation services!

Download the VITA brochure
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VITA Awards

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Do you have questions that this page didn't answer?
Contact us today for any additional VITA related inquiries.

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Awards

Our VITA program was voted one of the top three tax services in Stark County in The Canton Repository’s Readers’ Choice Awards in the past few years and Best Tax Service in The Canton Repository's 2020 Best of the Best awards. 

VITA was also named tax “Site of the Year” by the Ohio Association of Food Banks 2014-2019.  

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