UWTC Kicking Off Tax Season with Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day Celebration
TARRANT COUNTY, Texas (Jan. 22, 2024) — With tax season starting this week, United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC) announces the opening of several Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) locations across Tarrant County where qualifying residents can get their taxes filed for free.
Annually, an estimated 4,000 households across Tarrant County use VITA’s free tax preparation services, which are available to families and individuals with household incomes of $64,000 or less. VITA’s IRS-certified volunteers ensure clients receive qualifying benefits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which helps low- to moderate-income individuals and families get a tax break.
To mark the opening of the Tarrant County VITA centers and bring awareness to the EITC, UWTC is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, January 26. The event starts at 2 p.m. in the Community Enrichment Center’s Community Room, 6250 NE Loop 820, North Richland Hills, TX 76180. In addition to the celebration, volunteer tax preparers will be on hand to complete tax returns for those who qualify.
“VITA is truly a volunteer-powered program, and we’re honored to offer this incredible resource to Tarrant County families,” said Regina R. Williams, UWTC’s executive vice president of Community Investment and chief impact officer. “We’re raising awareness of much-needed relief EITC brings to struggling families and the dollars it puts back into our communities.”
In the past 14 years, VITA volunteers have helped file more than 88,000 tax returns and secured more than $157 million in total refunds for Tarrant County residents, resulting in a $178 million impact to the local economy. In 2023, the average VITA client received $1,500 in tax refunds and saved $220 in tax preparation fees.
Find tax center locations and information on what is needed to file a return through VITA at www.unitedwaytarrant.org/vita. Tax centers are open through April 30.
Volunteer Opportunities Available
UWTC also seeks volunteers for the 2024 tax season. Volunteers do not need prior experience and not all of the roles require tax preparation. UWTC provides full training for all positions.
VITA volunteer positions include:
- Intake specialists to greet clients upon arrival at each VITA site
- Interpreters for non-English speaking clients
- Tax preparers to provide basic tax return preparation
- Quality reviewers to ensure all client and tax information is accurate
- Savings ambassadors to share information about ways to save through VITA
For more information on the VITA volunteer program, visit unitedwaytarrant.org/give-help/volunteer/vita-volunteers.
About VITA
Since 2010, VITA has saved Tarrant County residents over $20 million in tax preparation fees. UWTC’s VITA program partners include Foundation Communities and Pathfinders. Generous support for VITA in our area comes from federal community project funding facilitated by U.S. Congressman Marc Veasey, as well as the Amon G. Carter Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, Charles Schwab & Co., PNC Bank Foundation, Prosperity Now and Capital One.
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. Last year, we helped more than 325,000 people through our resources.
Contact:
Deanna W. Titzler
United Way of Tarrant County
817-258-8025