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.