United Way of Windham County's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation to the immigrant population.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020, we were unable to operate in-person, instead offering remote Facilitated Self Assistance (FSA) for taxpayers.
This year, UWWC and our volunteers were excited to return to in-person VITA, and we identified a need specifically in the limited English-speaking immigrant and refugee community. We collaborated with the ECDC Multicultural Center to hold in-person services once a week, for 8 weeks during tax season at their building, with the assistance of translators when needed.
We were able to see every newcomer receiving services from ECDC, with a total of 43 returns accepted by the IRS. Thanks to our dedicated and knowledgeable team of volunteer preparers, we were able to help with both basic w-2's and advanced self-employment tax returns.
Here's a look at some of the numbers:
- $67,102 refunded with the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for low - moderate income households.
- $30,697 refunded with the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Additional Child Tax Credit for qualifying parents with dependents under the age of 17.
- $3,037 refunded on average per filer.
- $41,426 total refunded in State returns.
- $118,459 total refunded.
We would like to give a HUGE THANK YOU to our amazing team of volunteer preparers and greeters who put in the work to become IRS-certified. Without our volunteers this program would not be possible!
I think our Executive Director, Ruben Garza, also deserves recognition. Ruben made sure this year was a success by not only being the VITA site coordinator, but he prepared multiple tax returns every week and was a beacon of knowledge and support the whole way through.
Again, thank you to our volunteers and ECDC for making this year a success!
Interested in becoming a VITA preparer or greeter?
You can contact our Executive Director, Ruben Garza, at rgarza@unitedwaywindham.org if interested in learning more.