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The VITA Program offers free tax help to low-income people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Volunteers sponsored by various organizations receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations. Most locations also offer free electronic filing.
Organizations that partner with VACAP and the Virginia CASH Campaign collaborate to provide information that people need, want and value at various times during the tax cycle.
Variety of Opportunities
If your organization is interested in free tax preparation for low income individuals, this is the time to get involved in the Virginia CASH Campaign. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program has helped millions of individuals fulfill their tax obligations. The planning for tax assistance sites begins early. Always in need are: volunteers, computer equipment, publicity, and safe, secure facilities convenient to bus routes or other public transportation. However, having all of the items needed to sponsor VITA is wonderful, but not necessary.
Fall is also a good time for tax education campaigns. Organizations that are interested in or able to share information with their customers will find ample campaign materials on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), for example. Knowledge of the EITC and other tax benefits leads to actions that not only educate but also enrich people's lives.
Partnering groups can also provide information on:
- Free forms and publications that can be provided;
- answering people's tax questions;
- Financial management - including financial literacy training and asset building opportunities such as savings accounts and Virginia Individual Development Accounts (VIDA).
January through April is traditionally known as tax time. The VITA Program is in full swing. Although local VITA sites are generally finalized by this time, they will usually welcome any publicity your organizational network can provide.
It's also a good time to address asset building with individuals who are getting their tax returns prepared at your sites. Partners can encourage families to use a portion of their tax refund to begin saving. Often VITA customers do not have bank accounts or even the simplest of financial strategies in place. Rather than provide a safety net and government assistance to sustain families while in poverty, our approach is to focus on the ability to accumulate assets and move people out of poverty to self-sufficiency.
The end of filing season is a good time to celebrate your successes and evaluate your organization's participation in and commitment to local partnerships. Coalition members often find that they benefit through enhanced community relationships that translate to more direct knowledge of their customers' needs. Likewise, your customers now know and recognize more local organizations as sources of valuable information, services and benefits. Thus, name recognition is one benefit that grows from community tax assistance.
This is the time to bring in other organizations or resources that will help strengthen your project for next year. Working together means a more positive impact on customers' lives by guiding them to a path of greater financial awareness, growth and stability -- adding value to their lives and their community.
Interested?
The possibilities of partnering are endless and the effects are boundless. The power of coalitions is a driving force in Virginia. To discuss partnering opportunities contact us and let us know how we can help you get started.
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