United Way of South Texas kicked off the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. United Way Board Members, the VITA Committee, sponsors, volunteers, partners, and community leaders gathered to hear about impact goals for another significant year of providing free income tax preparation services to eligible individuals and families across South Texas.
In 2025, more than 150 IRS-certified volunteers provided free income tax preparation services to 3,388 households, resulting in over $5.1 million in refunds and an estimated $1,016,400 saved in preparation fees. The program serves families and individuals with household incomes of $67,000 or less, with only a few IRS-mandated exceptions.
Between January 26 and April 11, volunteers at fourteen sites will assist families across Hidalgo and Starr counties. Service locations include Calvary Baptist Church; City of McAllen’s Lark Library and Palm View Library; City of Mission’s Speer Memorial Library; Goodwill Industries; Hidalgo County Precinct 4–Endowment Community Center; PSJA ISD’s T‑STEM Early College High School and Bowie Elementary; Rio Grande City–Starr County Courthouse; Roma ISD’s Roma High School; South Texas College McAllen and Mid‑Valley Campuses; United Way of South Texas; and My Free Taxes at UTRGV U‑Central. VITA clients who wish to schedule their own appointment may visit 2026VITA.as.me or call 956‑686‑6331. To schedule an appointment in Roma, TX, clients may dial 956-422-3549.
“In the Rio Grande Valley, where far too many hardworking families are stretching every dollar just to make ends meet, programs like VITA are a lifeline. Through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, families earning up to $67,000 a year can access free, trusted tax preparation services and keep more of what they’ve worked so hard to earn,” said Cesar N. Rodriguez, City of McAllen and United Way Board Member. “When refunds stay in our community, they help families pay bills, build stability, and invest in their children’s future. That’s why we believe United Is the Way — because when volunteers, partners, and neighbors come together, we create real, lasting financial opportunity for our region.”
Through a partnership with AmeriCorps NCCC, a federally funded program that offers full-time, team-based services in communities throughout the country, United Way of South Texas is hosting eight members who have also been trained at the IRS advanced level to assist during the thirteen-week Tax Season. Since 2004, United Way has hosted more than thirty talented AmeriCorps NCCC members. The United Way Board of Directors and staff also extend their appreciation to the VITA program sponsors, whose support makes this initiative possible: Frost Bank, Greater State Bank, H‑E‑B, IBC Bank, Lone Star National Bank, Magic Valley Electric Cooperative, PlainsCapital Bank, PNC Bank, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Texas Regional Bank, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Vantage Bank.
For questions about the VITA program, please contact Elisa at 956‑686‑6331.
About United Way:
United Way of South Texas invests in programs that address critical services in the areas of Healthy Communities, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resilience. The organization supports 21 non-profit agencies in Hidalgo and Starr Counties that serve a minimum of 180,000 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.