VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
Free in-person tax assistance with an IRS-Certified tax preparer.
Update: January 27, 2021
United Way of Windham County will not be offering in-person Volunteer Income Tax Assistance this year. After auditing our internal systems and capacity, experimenting with different assistance models, pursuing partnerships with other local VITA programs, and seeking guidance from the IRS for a potential hybrid drop-off/in-person model the program was thwarted by COVID-19 precautions and limitations. We understand that this is hard news for our community. United Way of Windham County believes in its VITA program wholeheartedly; and is saddened at the implication of not having an in-person VITA program. We know all too well the force for good that the VITA program has had for the individuals and households we have served over the years. However, the void of an in-person income tax assistance program has left an opportunity for a reimagined VITA program.
United Way of Windham County, in partnership with the IRS, TaxSlayer Pro and Vermont 211, is pleased to offer a 100% free online alternative. If you have always wanted to try your hand at preparing your Federal and State taxes, or have done so in the past, you can now request a free software package that will allow you to do so. Do not fret though, you are not doing it alone. United Way of Windham County wants to make sure that you get every credit and deduction that you are entitled to. Understanding that this tax year will be a challenging one, having to file Unemployment Insurance or figuring out the tax ramifications of Economic Impact payments, we are also pleased to announce a Tax Assistance Help Line. In concert with the free software, you can call our Tax Assistance Help Line and get connected with a volunteer income tax preparer that will guide you through the basic steps of using the software and preparing your Federal and State returns.
To get connected with United Way of Windham County’s free online VITA program, you must have access to a computer, smartphone, or tablet and a valid email address. To request the free software, please email: vita@unitedwaywindham.org. A reply email will contain the link to the free Tax Slayer Pro software and other particulars regarding the Tax Assistance Help Line.
Please contact the United Way of Windham County Director of Development and Community Impact, Ruben R. Garza, at ruben@unitedwaywindham.org or by phone at (802)257-4011 for more information about volunteering with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Update: June 6, 2020
United Way of Windham County ceases all 2020 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) services. In spite of the newly relaxed restrictions on businesses and social distancing and the new tax filing deadline of July 15, 2020, United Way of Windham County will not be able to reengage its VITA programming. For alternative methods of preparing your 2019 income taxes you can visit these online services: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free and https://www.myfreetaxes.com/.
United Way of Windham County operates the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program in Brattleboro, where IRS-certified volunteers provide free tax preparation to eligible households that earn up to $56,000 per year and who live or work in Windham County. Our team of volunteers are highly trained and experienced, with a wealth of knowledge about filing taxes to help you feel confident during tax season. To have your taxes done for free by us, please call us to schedule an appointment. Call United Way of Windham County, or call 2-1-1 from anywhere in Vermont to find services in your area or to make an appointment during tax season (late January - mid April). We advise you to schedule your appointment early as they fill up quickly. Support for the VITA program is greatly appreciated - we look forward to the 2020 tax season.