Category: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

VITA Training: United Way of Allegany County

 

Today, Shawn Currier of United Way of Allegany County started training Alfred University students for the coming changes to this year tax return preparation season.

United Way of Allegany County and Alfred University have long been partners in serving the tax-paying local community by providing free tax filing services to those who qualify.

Guest Speaker: Southern Tier CA$H Program (VITA)

Guest speakers from the Southern Tier CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) spoke today about their IRS sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.  Ther 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 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.

Guest Speaker: Allegany County United Way VITA Program

Shawn M. Currier, coordinator of the Allegany County United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program spoke to our students today about volunteering for the VITA program works and all the good that program does in Allegany County.

VITA assists taxpayers who make $54,000 or less, people with disabilities, and limited English speaking taxpayers who need help preparing their own tax returns. Our IRS-certified volunteers provide basic federal and state income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

This past year, 512 families have been served, with total income tax refunds of $800,573. In addition, we estimate that this program has saved these families approximately $175 each in preparation costs for a total of $88,550.

Allegany County United Way supports over 25 nonprofit programs in our community that impact one in every three local residents. For the full list of programs supported, go to our website at www.acuw.com and like us on Facebook.