Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Wraps Up for the Year

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:

 

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.