Every year, residents of Coconino County forfeit an estimated $4 million in Earned Income Tax Credits because they either don’t know they’re entitled to tax credits, or they don’t file tax returns with the IRS. A family with three qualifying children can claim as much as $5,751 through the Earned Income Tax Credit.
With tax season rapidly approaching, United Way of Northern Arizona is seeking VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) volunteers to help carry out our mission of “improving lives by mobilizing communities to make lasting changes in community conditions”.
Volunteers are needed to serve as Tax Preparers, Screeners, Greeters, Translators and Quality Review Assistors. No prior tax experience is necessary; training will be given using IRS materials.
Training will be provided on January 7 and 14 from 9am – 4pm at the Family Resource Center.
Once trained, volunteers will be asked to select four shifts between January 22nd and April 15th at the following VITA sites: Coconino High School, The Family Resource Center, East Flagstaff Community Library, Kinsey Elementary School and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Other locations will be available as well. For more information or to become a UWNA VITA volunteer, contact Brian Lanari at United Way of Northern Arizona (928) 773-9813 or vita@nazunitedway.org.
UWNA offers free tax preparation services, through VITA, to families and individuals earning less than $49,100 a year in northern Arizona. VITA eliminates the need for lower income families to use paid tax preparers or incur expenses for rapid refunds. These savings can be anywhere from between $50 to $2,000 per family. Last year, UWNA’s VITA program helped return over $2.4 million to residents in Coconino County who used the free service.
Join our team of energetic volunteers and help eligible families and individuals claim their Earned Income Tax Credits free of charge.
What: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Training
When: January 7, 2012 and January 14, 2012 from 9am-4pm
Where: Family Resource Center, 4000 North Cummings Street
