In the 2025 tax season, more than 130 volunteers—including high school and college students, professionals, retired tax preparers, and other community members—contributed their time and skills to United Way’s VITA Program, helping 3,388 families file their taxes at no cost. As a result of their efforts, participating families saved an estimated $1,016,400 in tax preparation fees and received over $5.1 million in federal tax refunds, making a significant impact on the financial well-being of households across Hidalgo and Starr Counties.
United Way of South Texas is proud to announce that in 2026, individuals and families earning $67,000 or less, may qualify for free tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This year’s VITA program is made possible through the generous support of our 2026 Sponsoring Companies: Frost Bank, Greater State Bank, H-E-B, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Lone Star National Bank, Magic Valley Electric Coop., PlainsCapital Bank, PNC Bank, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Texas Regional Bank, United Way of South Texas, and Vantage Bank. Thanks to these valued partners, United Way will connect working families with vital information about tax benefits, refunds, and access to free tax services across twelve locations in Hidalgo and Starr Counties.
United Way of South Texas invests in programs that address critical services in the areas of Healthy Communities, Youth Opportunities, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. The organization supports 21 non-profit agencies in Hidalgo and Starr Counties that serve a minimum of 247,300 local residents annually. Services provided by United Way of South Texas administered programs and Partner Agencies, include emergency shelter, family violence counseling, character-building programs, disaster relief services, and infant stimulation classes. 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/.
Individuals interested in volunteering with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program may sign up by visiting https://www.volunteersotx.org/need/ or by calling 956‑686‑6331. You can also learn more about VITA opportunities and training through UTRGV’s Engagement Zone at https://ez.utrgv.edu/. All volunteers are required to attend training sessions that focus on: Volunteer Standards of Conduct/Intake Interview & Quality Review, Tax Law & Advanced Tax Preparation Scenarios. All training sessions will be held at the United Way of South Texas building.
Volunteers Standards of Conduct/Intake Interview & Quality Review Training
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Monday, January 12, 2026
Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Tax Law & Advanced Scenario 1-6 Training
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Advanced Scenario 7-9 Training
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 2:00pm
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 2:00pm
Friday, January 16, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Contact:
Elisa Beas, ebeas@unitedwayofsotx.org
Lilly Lopez-Killelea, llopez@unitedwayofsotx.org
United Way of South Texas, (956)686-6331