United Way Suncoast Offers Volunteering with Their VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program

Volunteers receive IRS training to provide free tax preparation services to low-income families in DeSoto, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties for the 2018 tax season

United Way Suncoast is currently accepting volunteer applications for its VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program, which provides free tax preparation and filing assistance to qualifying families. United Way Suncoast relies on volunteers to serve as tax preparers, greeters and interpreters. Volunteers receive between four and 30 hours of IRS training depending on the position selected, and volunteer at one of the regional tax locations during the tax filing season from mid-January through mid-April.

Many VITA volunteers are retired or semi-retired and enjoy the satisfaction of giving back, being able to volunteer while using their past life and work experience, and interacting with other volunteers as well as those in need.  With the help of more than 400 IRS-trained and certified volunteers, the United Way Suncoast and its community partners made the following impact in the Suncoast region during the 2016 tax season:

• 19,759 individuals helped
• 9,420 federal tax returns prepared, including both e-filed and paper returns
• More than 42 volunteer locations in the four-county region
• More than $24,516,948 in refunds returned to members of the community
• $7 million in Earned Income Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits
• $3,855,000 in fee savings, based on average tax preparation fees

The 42 volunteer locations throughout DeSoto, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Sarasota counties offer day, evening and weekend hours. Volunteers can view training dates, times and locations, and apply online here.

United Way Suncoast also offers free online tax preparation and filing for individuals making less than $64,000 a year. Learn more about this program at www.myfreetaxes.com.