Turning tax returns into real change

“Making a difference one return at a time” is how Center for Community Resources’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) coordinator describes the impact of free tax preparation services, and one family’s experience that brings this work to life. 

On the first day of the 2024 tax season, the VITA team prepared taxes for a young couple with three children and a household income of $57,000. In previous years, the family was unable to access VITA services due to income guidelines. With the recent increase in the eligibility threshold to $70,000, however, they were able to have taxes prepared and filed at no cost. 

The result was powerful: their federal and state returns provided the family more than $9,500 to strengthen financial stability and support their goals. 

Through United Way’s funding and coordination to local partnerships, families have been able to access the support they need to move to financial stability.