FORT WORTH, Texas (Dec. 06, 2023) — Ahead of next year’s tax season, United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC) is calling on the community to lend their support by volunteering for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Annually, approximately 4,000 households throughout Tarrant County depend on these free tax preparation services, available to families and individuals with household incomes of $64,000 or less.
“Many families in our community depend on the free tax services VITA provides and this work cannot be done without dedicated volunteers,” said Regina R. Williams, UWTC’s executive vice president of Community Investment and chief impact officer. “We urge anyone with the time and willingness to join us in helping these families maximize their income tax refunds."
Several VITA volunteer positions are available, including:
- 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
VITA is an IRS-supported program. Volunteers do not need prior experience. UWTC provides full training for all positions, and tax preparers can receive continuing education credits. Training sessions begin December 9. With 12 VITA tax sites located across Tarrant County, volunteers can serve at a location convenient to them. VITA tax sites open January 22 and run through April 30. Volunteers are not obligated to serve throughout the entire tax season but rather as their schedule allows.
In the past 13 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 approximately $220 in tax preparation fees.
For more information about the VITA volunteer program, visit UnitedWayTarrant.org/VITA-Volunteer.
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 U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, Amon G. Carter Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, Prosperity Now, PNC Bank, Capital One and Charles Schwab & Co.
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. We celebrated our 100th anniversary in 2022 and are ready to serve Tarrant County for years to come.
Contact
Deanna W. Titzler
United Way of Tarrant County
817-258-8025