VITA
This year, over 21,000 people received expert Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), receiving more than $30 million in tax refunds, thanks to United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s collaboration with Accounting Aid Society and Wayne Metro.
Over 470 IRS-certified tax providers volunteered at dozens of tax sites across our region, including the United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Ann Arbor office.
“The service is thorough, friendly, courteous and fast,” said Antonio H., a 61-year-old from Highland Park. “Before I started coming here, I was paying $300 to $350 for taxes and now that I do this, it’s like, why would I ever go back?”
While filing taxes is necessary, spending hundreds of dollars is not. To qualify for the free tax service, unmarried individuals must make less than $67,000 annually and married couples must make less than $67,000 combined income.
“I would definitely recommend it,” said Antonio. “With the $67,000 threshold for singles, that’s a lot of the population so it helps out a lot.”
For the 42% of ALICE families in Michigan, tax assistance removes the financial burden of tax season, allowing much needed refunds to flow into the community.
The Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit are the single biggest sources of cash support for ALICE families and often the largest cash infusion ALICE families see all year. These critical dollars help families pay for what they need most, from food and rent to cellphone bills and children’s needs.
“I’m on social security disability, so it’s great to have a resource like this close to home,” said Joyce R., a Ypsilanti resident. “My refund will help me get ahead on my bills.”
As tax season comes to an end, United Way and partners are still helping those who missed the deadline or need to file for any previous years.
“We don’t close shop up on April 15th,” said Megan Thibos, director of community impact and innovation at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “We will be there throughout the year, and we’ll support folks if they do not get their taxes done on time.”
Hear more about the impact made this tax season from Megan on this recent WEMU episode.