VITA seeking volunteers for Maricopa income tax assistance

The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program aided 305 Pinal County residents in their tax preparation this year.

Out of those who filed with VITA, the average taxpayer was refunded over $1,500. A total of $444,664 was returned to residents through IRS refunds generated by the VITA program.

This was the second year for VITA in Pinal County, and the program continues to grow and change. From one site and 49 tax returns prepared in 2008, the program expanded to 16 sites and over 300 returns prepared at absolutely no charge to the eligible taxpayer.

VITA was created to put taxpayers in touch with the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal tax credit designed to boost the incomes of working families. One of its primary goals is making certified tax preparation affordable by training volunteers to provide accurate tax assistance free of charge

During tax season volunteer participation with VITA matched and even surpassed the growth experienced by the program; volunteers logged a total of 891 hours.

In 2010 VITA hopes to increase the number of taxpayers served. A new Maricopa location will help accomplish that goal.

“We project that there are about 3,000 taxpayers who qualify and could benefit from the program in Maricopa,” said Vita Program Manager Ricardo Banuelos.

VITA recently partnered with the Maricopa Lutheran Church to provide a facility for tax assistance. However, the program needs the help of certified CPAs, who can teach an 18-hour tax law-training course for tax preparation volunteers.

Volunteers are also needed to serve as tax preparers, quality reviewers, greeters, screeners and site coordinators. Descriptions of each of these positions, as well as answers to questions about VITA and a volunteer form are available here.

For more information about the VITA program or to sign up as a volunteer, contact Banuelos at 520-836-0736 or via email.

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