United Way of Palm Beach County gets IRS grant for VITA

BOYNTON BEACH – For the second year in a row, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has provided United Way of Palm Beach County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program with a $140,000 matching grant.

The VITA Program provides free income tax-preparation service to local individuals and households that earn $49,000 or less a year.

The grant will be used to help United Way provide the free service from Jan. 19 through April 15 at 20 VITA sites,  throughout Palm Beach County, from Boca Raton, to Jupiter, and west to Belle Glade and Pahokee. IRS trained and certified volunteers staff the sites.

 Research shows that taxpayers receiving refunds through returns processed at VITA sites used their refunds to pay off debt, invest in education or housing, or open a bank account. This is new money for the local economy. The VITA Program has had a $112.9 million economic impact to Palm Beach County, according to the United Way.

This is the seventh year United Way has offered the free tax-preparation service to Palm Beach County residents. Last year, more than 9,500 residents used the VITA Program, and received $15 million in refunds, including $5.6 million in Earned Income Tax Credits. Before United Way’s involvement in the VITA Program, only 641 residents were using the service. Annually, the program saves Palm Beach County residents $1 million in tax-preparation fees.

Chuck Anderson, president and CEO at United Way of Palm Beach County is anticipating the organization’s VITA sites might have the busiest year yet.

“There are many people in Palm Beach County who benefit from United Way’s free income tax-preparation service,” Anderson said. “It is vital we continue to offer this service to hard-working individuals and families, especially in these difficult economic times. Many are struggling and need to receive the full amount they can, including the Earned Income Tax Credit. We do not charge for this service and returns are e-filed so people get their money immediately.”

With just over a month to go until the beginning of tax season, United Way of Palm Beach County and the IRS are still recruiting and training volunteers to work at the VITA sites. VITA volunteers include Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), retirees, housewives, college students and professionals. Also needed are volunteers who are bilingual in Spanish or Creole. Volunteers who are age 16 or older may serve as greeters and earn community service hours.

If you would like to become a volunteer, contact Bonnie Seely Roberts, United Way of Palm Beach County, at (561) 375-6683, or visit United Way of Palm Beach County’s Web site at www.unitedwaypbc.org and click on the “Taxes Done Free” button in the image section on the home page. The link connects you to the training schedule and allows you to register as a volunteer.

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