TARRANT COUNTY, Texas (Feb. 4, 2025) — As tax season kicks off, United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC) is helping hard-working individuals and families get the most out of their tax refunds. This year, for the first time, UWTC is offering scheduled appointments at 11 of our 12 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, which includes our mobile unit locations, making it easier and more efficient for qualifying residents to access free tax preparation services.
Starting this week, families and individuals with household incomes of $67,000 or less can book appointments for this free service that allows them to better understand what they might owe or get back as a refund and ensure they receive qualifying benefits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Residents with low- to moderate incomes may claim the EITC, with eligibility varying based on factors such as income level, number of children and other criteria. In Texas, during the 2023 tax year, approximately 2.568 million workers and families benefited from the Earned Income Tax Credit, receiving a total of nearly $7.916 billion.
UWTC is also expanding its VITA services with VITA Plus, a community resource fair connecting individuals with additional support in financial literacy and workforce development. Held at six locations during tax season, the series starts Saturday, Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tarrant County College South Campus, with additional fairs scheduled twice monthly through April. No pre-registration is required.
“VITA is an incredible resource to offer families in Tarrant County, and we are honored that we can give these families one less thing to worry about,” said Damiya Pentecost, UWTC’s director of financial empowerment. “In cases where our volunteers help families maximize their refunds, those dollars often help cover essentials like rent, groceries and utilities as well as putting that money back into our communities.”
Since the VITA program’s inception in 2010, UWTC has filed more than 100,000 tax returns and Tarrant County residents have secured over $173 million in total refunds. In 2024, the average VITA client received $1,700 in tax refunds.
Appointments are available now at most Tarrant County VITA tax centers. Walk-ins are also accepted. To schedule an appointment, find a tax center location or get information on what is needed to file a return through VITA, visit unitedwaytarrant.org/taxes. Tax centers are open through April 15.
About VITA
Over the past 15 years, VITA has saved Tarrant County residents over $22 million in tax preparation fees. UWTC’s VITA program partners include Foundation Communities, Tarrant County College South Campus, Northside Inter-Community Agency, Inc., LVTRise, the city of Fort Worth, the city of Arlington, Great Commission Baptist Church, Opening Doors for Women in Need, the city of Forest Hill, Community Enrichment Center, Portfolio Resident Services, Inc. and Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange (GRACE).
Generous support for VITA comes from federal community project funding facilitated by U.S. Congressman Marc Veasey, as well as the Amon G. Carter Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, Bank of America Foundation, Charles Schwab & Co., PNC Bank Foundation, Capital One, Truist Foundation and the Holloway Family Foundation.
About United Way of Tarrant County
United Way of Tarrant County brings people together to build strong communities where everyone thrives. As a nonprofit leader, we help communities tackle tough challenges and work with private, public, and nonprofit partners to boost education, financial stability and health resources, and respond in times of crisis. We help nearly 400,000 people every year through our resources.
Contact:
Deanna W. Titzler
United Way of Tarrant County
817-258-8025