Category: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

 

Southern Tier CA$H was at Alfred University’s Community Involvement Fair/Internship & Volunteer Fair today the Powell Campus Center.

Southern Tier CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) is an IRS sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, led by Arbor Housing and Development, offering free tax help for low-to-moderate income families and individuals, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

This was a great opportunity for AU students to meet with them and to discuss how the students can increase their opportunities. Not only do students get to assist the local community with a much needed tax service, the students also can put their classroom knowledge to good use and improve their resume.

 

Rebecca Sterlace and Heather Scherb will speak about the Southern Tier CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) program and their IRS sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.  Their program is led by Arbor Housing and Development, offering free tax help for low-to-moderate income families and individuals, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and those limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

CA$H volunteers prepare both your federal and state tax returns, and help taxpayers find tax credits for eligible taxpayers.

• FREE – Using a paid preparer can cost $250 or more per person; the CA$H program costs nothing.
• FAST – By e-filing and having your refund direct-deposited, you will receive your money quicker.
• CONVENIENT – CA$H appointments are available at sites across the Southern Tier, and at times that work for you.
• ACCURATE – CA$H volunteers are trained by IRS-approved specialists and must complete certification tests before completing any returns.
• This is an opportunity to provided a much needed service to the community, and gain valuable practical experience that can enhance your chances for a summer internship or full-time job in an accounting or tax firm.

Congratulations to those Alfred University students who collectively volunteered more than 100 hours of their time providing free federal and state income tax filing services to our neighbors in Allegany County and Steuben County as part of the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA).

Alfred University partners with the Allegany County United Way, and with Southern Tier CA$H of Steuben County to help qualifying taxpayers file their federal and state income tax returns for free – VITA is a vital economic service in our region.

 

Pictured above is VITA volunteers Phatryna Suon and Rebecca Esham along with a taxpayer client at the Wellsville site.

Allegany County United Way returns to Alfred University! They came to the Franklin Olin Building in room 214 from 10:00am – 12:00pm to help our students and the local community file their federal and state income taxes for free!

Last year, they helped stimulate the local economy; by bringing in $800,573 which was returned to 512 local families. They proudly fund and administer this very important program that provides free income tax preparation services to hundreds of local families. In addition, it is estimated that the program had saved these families approximately $175 each in preparation costs for a total of $88,550.The support of their donors makes this possible. Families and individuals with household incomes of $54,000 or less in 2016, are eligible to benefit from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The income level is determined by the IRS annually.

Last year more than 25 United Way volunteers worked diligently at 8 sites, including Alfred University that serve families in Allegany County.

Families use their returns and the money they save by utilizing the free service for many purposes, including paying their home taxes, children’s college tuition, opening savings accounts and medical bills.

Allegany County United Way supports over 25 nonprofit programs in our community that impact one in every three local residents.

Currently, VITA is coordinated by Shawn M. Currier. This will be his second tax season running the program.  Shawn has an associate’s degree in accounting as well as certificates in marketing and business management, as well as 7 years of tax experience.  When asked about this upcoming tax season Currier stated, “I am very excited to get the new tax season going, ACUW has a very hard working and devoted group of volunteers.  We want to make sure we do everything in our power to get Allegany County residents all the money they deserve.  Best of all the service is free. ” This assistance is for people who make $54,000 or less, people with disabilities, and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. Our IRS-certified volunteers provide basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

Throughout the years Allegany County United Way has had many wonderful and caring volunteers who have been working diligently at many sites that serve families throughout Allegany County.

For the full list of programs supported, go to our website at www.acuw.com.

Pictured above is VITA volunteers Phatryna Suon and Rebecca Esham along with a taxpayer client at the Wellsville site.

Allegany County United Way returns to Alfred University! They came to the Franklin Olin Building in room 214 from 4:30pm – 7:00pm to help our students and the local community file their federal and state income taxes for free!

Brenda Wesche and Jacob Graves of AU’s Accounting Department helped over ten of our taxpaying neighbors, from inside and outside of NY State, file their federal and state tax returns!  Hurray and thank you both!

Fiat Lux!

Last year, they helped stimulate the local economy; by bringing in $800,573 which was returned to 512 local families. They proudly fund and administer this very important program that provides free income tax preparation services to hundreds of local families. In addition, it is estimated that the program had saved these families approximately $175 each in preparation costs for a total of $88,550.The support of their donors makes this possible. Families and individuals with household incomes of $54,000 or less in 2016, are eligible to benefit from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The income level is determined by the IRS annually.

Last year more than 25 United Way volunteers worked diligently at 8 sites, including Alfred University that serve families in Allegany County.

Families use their returns and the money they save by utilizing the free service for many purposes, including paying their home taxes, children’s college tuition, opening savings accounts and medical bills.

Allegany County United Way supports over 25 nonprofit programs in our community that impact one in every three local residents.

Currently, VITA is coordinated by Shawn M. Currier. This will be his second tax season running the program.  Shawn has an associate’s degree in accounting as well as certificates in marketing and business management, as well as 7 years of tax experience.  When asked about this upcoming tax season Currier stated, “I am very excited to get the new tax season going, ACUW has a very hard working and devoted group of volunteers.  We want to make sure we do everything in our power to get Allegany County residents all the money they deserve.  Best of all the service is free. ” This assistance is for people who make $54,000 or less, people with disabilities, and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. Our IRS-certified volunteers provide basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

Throughout the years Allegany County United Way has had many wonderful and caring volunteers who have been working diligently at many sites that serve families throughout Allegany County.

For the full list of programs supported, go to our website at www.acuw.com.

 

Today, Southern Tier CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) trained its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers by focusing on the State Returns (NY focused), ACA (Affordable Care Act), TaxSlayer software, Premium Tax Credits, and Exemptions. They covered VITA Site Operations and Compliance, what is expected of their volunteers, and what to expect this tax season.

CA$H is an IRS sponsored VITA program, led by Arbor Housing and Development, offering free tax assistance for low-to-moderate income families and individuals, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English speaking taxpayers who need help in preparing their own tax returns.

IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.