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Help Wanted: United Way Seeks 100 VITA Volunteers

Passionate. Energetic. Dedicated. These are the kinds of people needed to help families in our community get ahead financially. United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut leads the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) campaign for the first time this year, and the organization is recruiting 100 more volunteers for the upcoming tax season, bringing the total to 250.

VITA offers free tax help for households with an annual income of less than $50,000. IRS-trained volunteers prepare and electronically file state and federal income tax forms at no charge, giving families access to the refunds and credits they’ve earned. This includes the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), available for lower-to-moderate wage earning families and worth an average of $2,240 nationally, and the Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit (CT-EITC). 

Last year, VITA volunteers served more than 9,400 taxpayers in central and northeastern Connecticut, bringing $22.6 million in refunds and credits back to residents in local communities, including $6.5 million in EITCs.The IRS estimates that 15 to 20 percent of eligible taxpayers in the United States do not claim the EITC. United Way is proud to host and support VITA sites with its community partners.

Volunteers are vital to the program and prepare filers’ tax returns, complete paperwork, and manage the appointment calendar and walk-ins. Some requirements include: experience using computers, a positive attitude and a minimum commitment of one four-hour session per week between mid-January and April 15 following training. For more information, please visit unitedwayinc.org/vitavolunteer.

In mid-January, those who are eligible for the program can call 2-1-1 to set up a VITA appointment locally. United Way 2-1-1 is a free, multilingual information and referral hotline, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. VITA sites are operated during convenient times, including weekends, and free tax assistance is also available in Spanish and Polish at some sites.

Additionally, in partnership with United Way Worldwide and the Walmart Foundation, free tax filing for households with an income under $57,000 is available.  Visit myfreetaxes.com/unitedway to file online.

United Way is a year-round movement focused on advancing the common good in our communities. United Way Community Investment—the choice for positive change—is the giving option focused on advancing the common good. Our community priorities to advance the common good are:

·         Education:  Children enter school ready to learn and students succeed academically

·         Income:  Families become financially stable

·         Health:  Our Community is healthy

·         Safety Net:  Our basic needs are met.

To sign up as a volunteer today, contact Liz Buczynski at LBuczynski@unitedwayinc.org. 

For media inquiries, contact Brian Boyer at (860) 493-6834 or bboyer@unitedwayinc.org.