VITA Completes Successful Tax Season

May 19, 2017 — United Way of Racine County volunteers helped return more than $300,000 in refunds to hundreds of Racine County taxpayers this past tax season. United Way was instrumental in getting the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program back up and running in Racine County. 

More than 20 volunteers donated hundreds of hours of service to support Racine County residents, between January and April of 2017. Volunteers helped file more than 300 federal tax returns for local workers, as well as residents of the Ellsworth Correctional Facility and the Sturtevant Transitional Facility.

Services provided through the VITA program are free of charge and help ensure taxpayers with low to moderate incomes receive all eligible Earned Income Tax Credits. During the 2015 tax season, over 26 million workers nationwide received the EITC; however, the IRS estimates that one out of five workers do not redeem their Earned Income Tax Credits. This means more than 6 million eligible tax filers leave billions of dollars unclaimed each year. These credits are critical to the financial stability of Racine County individuals and families; without them, workers have less money to use for groceries, rent, utilities, and other basic needs.

United Way of Racine County collaborated with Workforce Solutions, Gateway Technical College, and IMPACT, Inc. to bring VITA services back to Racine County taxpayers for the 2016 tax season. To pursue VITA support, 837 participants dialed 2-1-1, IMPACT’s information and referral service. VITA’s tax support services remain available by appointment through Lori Riffer, United Way of Racine County’s financial stability manager.