The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Committee and Partners look forward to another successful year of helping eligible South Texas families and individuals with free income tax preparation services. United Way of South Texas will officially launch the VITA Program on Monday, January 23rd.
In 2022, 106 IRS Certified volunteers offered free income tax preparation services to 2,572 households—their refunds were over $5.6 million. Families and individuals with household incomes of $60,000 or less are eligible for the free service, with only a few IRS mandated exceptions.
Between January 23rd and April 15th, volunteers at sixteen (16) sites will serve families in Hidalgo and Starr counties. The sites include: Calvary Baptist Church, City of McAllen-Lark Library, City of McAllen-Palmview Library, City of Mission-Speer Memorial Library, City of Palmview-Youth Center, Goodwill Industries, La Estancia Apartments, McAllen I.S.D.-Lamar Academy, PSJA I.S.D.- Ballew High School, PSJA I.S.D.-Bowie Elementary, Rio Grande City-City Hall, Roma I.S.D. High School, Vanguard Academy Beethoven-Secondary Campus, Vanguard Van Gogh-Elementary, South Texas College and United Way of South Texas. VITA clients who prefer to schedule their own appointment by visiting VITA2023.as.me or by calling 956-607-9030.
“United Way is committed to offering families and individuals opportunities to help them succeed and be self-sufficient. By using VITA free income tax preparation services, they save money and can use their refunds towards other important expenses and goals. Larger savings enable families to invest in their children, homes, education, health and in the local economy,” said Blanca I. Villalobos, IBC Bank and United Way Board Chair.
The United Way Board of Directors and staff appreciate the support of the following sponsors, for making the VITA/TCE Program possible: H-E-B, Frost Bank, U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Magic Valley Electric Cooperative, Lone Star National Bank, Wells Fargo, PNC Bank, Security Service Federal Credit Union and Texas Regional Bank.
If you have questions about the VITA program, please contact Viridiana Cruz, United Way Financial Stability Coordinator, at 956-607-9030 or 956-686-6331.
About United Way:
United Way of South Texas invests in programs that address critical services in the areas of Health, Education, Financial Stability, and Safety Net. The organization supports over 21 non-profit agencies in Hidalgo and Starr Counties that serve a minimum of 178,500 local residents annually. Services provided by United Way of South Texas through Partner Agencies include emergency shelter, family violence counseling, character building programs, child victim advocacy, and infant stimulation classes. To learn more, visit www.unitedwayofsotx.org. If you would like to support United Way programs with a monetary donation, you may mail a tax deductible check to United Way of South Texas at P.O. Box 187, McAllen, TX 78505-0187 or pledge online at https://unitedwayofsotx.org/donate-now/. For volunteer opportunities, visit volunteersotx.org.