Volunteers Sought to Provide Income Tax Assistance
Help Hard Working Families Ring in New Year with Financial Stability
Valley of the Sun United Way is seeking number-savvy volunteers to help West Valley residents and families begin the New Year with a new start by doing taxes at our growing Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. While making a tangible impact on local families, volunteers will also gain valuable and marketable experience and skills.
All eyes are on the economy and ways to improve it. At United Way, we know that helping individuals gain financial stability is an important step toward a community-wide strengthened economy. Last year, more than 60 volunteers contributed more than 2,300 hours during the tax season, filing 680 tax returns for families who received more than $1 million in refunds they were due.
Families and individuals who earned up to $50,000 in 2012 could qualify for up to $5,800 in the Earned Income Tax Credit as part of the tax review. Taxpayers reported using their overall refunds due to them for vital services that helped significantly improve their lives, from paying for housing, bills, transportation, food, clothing and even education. We’ve expanded location hours this year as we continue to make it easier to access the free service, available through April 15, with varying hours and days at each location.
No tax preparation experience is necessary to volunteer. Free training is provided, and hours and locations are flexible. To volunteer, contact Judy DeMass at jdemass@vsuw.org or (602) 631-4860. Learn more at http://vsuw.org/vita2013.
Valley of the Sun United Way-sponsored West Valley locations:
Avondale: Care1st Avondale Resource and Housing Center, 328 W. Western Avenue
Avondale: Estrella Mountain Community College, 3000 North Dysart Road
Buckeye: National Bank of Arizona, 219 N. 4th Street
El Mirage: Dysart Community Center, 14414 N. El Mirage Road
Gila Bend: Care1st Gila Bend Resource Center, 303 E. Pima Street
Glendale: National Bank of Arizona, 9878 W. Camelback Road
Glendale: Vineyard Church, 6250 W. Peoria Avenue
Goodyear: National Bank of Arizona, 13289 W. McDowell Road
To check Earned Income Tax Credit eligibility, go to www.irs.gov or visit a VITA site. For a full list of local VITA sites, contact 211 or visit www.211arizona.org/tax.
About Valley of the Sun United Way:
Valley of the Sun United Way is working to advance the common good by focusing three community objectives: increasing financial stability of individuals and families, ending hunger and homelessness and ensuring children and youth succeed. For more information visit, www.vsuw.org
About VITA: The Maricopa County VITA Network is a partnership among Valley of the Sun United Way, AARP Tax-Aide, Catholic Charities Community Services, City of Phoenix, City of Chandler, Mesa United Way and Tempe Community Council.
