Each year the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program puts billions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income taxpayers nationwide. The VITA program is an IRS program designed to help low and moderate-income taxpayers complete their annual tax returns at no cost. The program was originally founded in 1971 and the concept is to provide local taxpayers with free tax return preparation by accounting students, in effort to provide both a valuable community service and a powerful hands-on learning experience for the accounting students. The program grew from a small group of dedicated accounting students to what is now a nationwide program that serves millions of taxpayers.
Many Goodwill organizations now participate in this successful program offering VITA services at their Goodwill sites. Goodwill also supports VITA Awareness Day (taking place Tuesday, March 15) and this year VITA Awareness Day will be even bigger as we help raise the profile of community tax preparation.
Capitol Hill Policy Forum: The Impact of Tax-Time Issues on Low-Wage Workers Nationwide
Team members from Goodwill Industries International will celebrate VITA Awareness Day by attending a policy forum on the opportunities and challenges facing low-wage workers at tax time. During the event, experts from Intuit, Maryland CASH Campaign, the Consumer Federation of America, United Way World Wide and CFED will discuss the federal policy implications surrounding tax preparation and ways that we can better support vulnerable taxpayers.
Join the Conversation on Social Media
Participate in the celebration! No matter where you live, your voice can make a difference! Follow @GoodwillCapHill on Twitter and help us spread the word about the value of community tax preparation by using #VITAworks on social media.
