QUINCY, ILL. -- The following is a press release from the United Way:
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) has another successful year on the books. This United Way funded, IRS sponsored free program met each of the goals it set out to attain for the 2010 year: to maintain or increase the 2009 client list, to increase taxpayer savings, to increase accessible income within the community and to increase awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the VITA program. This year, 345 individuals or families accessed the VITA program an increase of 29 over last year.
“The VITA program is a valuable asset that brings additional revenue to families and the community,” said Executive Director Cheryl Waterman. “We are thrilled to see it continue to grow and reach more members of the community and look forward to future expansion and development.”
VITA is run by a coordinator and trained volunteers who prepare basic tax returns for taxpayers with low or limited incomes and a variety of special needs. The program places extra emphasis on the EITC which is a tax reduction and a wage supplement for low and moderate income working families. During the tax return process, emphasis is placed on accessing tax credits such as the EITC. This year, the First Time Homebuyers and New Car Tax Credits were also evaluated at to determine eligibility and the opportunity for increased income to the individual or family.
Results from the 2010 VITA program:
- 345 Appointments in 2010 versus 316 in 2009
- 168 of these were repeat clients
- 5 individuals/families accessed the First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit
- Total EITC Credit: $175,409 up $18,427 from 2009
- Total Combined Federal Refund Amount (excluding EITC): $270,339 up $24,397 from 2009
- Total Estimated Fees NOT paid to Preparers: $54,200
- Total Increase in Accessible Income: $499,948 up $65,977 from 2009
- Average Increase in Accessible Income per Household: $1,499
VITA began in January of 2007.
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