United Way of Central Texas Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Brings Close to $1 Million in Returns for Low to Moderate Income Central Texans
Temple, Texas - April 25, 2014 - The United Way of Central Texas (UWCT) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program prepared 634 free tax returns for Central Texans with a low to moderate income, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and those having limited English proficiency. This is the agency’s fifth year to provide tax assistance to the local community.
IRS certified VITA volunteers provided basic income tax return services without charge, ensuring 100% of the tax refund went directly to the customer. The average Adjusted Gross Income of the taxpayer served was $22,139.
"Over $923,347 in refunds and $343,198 in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) were returned to people living in our local community," said UWCT Volunteer VITA Site Director Joel Crenshaw.
EITC is a benefit for working people who have low to moderate income. The credit reduces the amount of taxes people owe and may also provide a refund.
"It is vital that customers who qualify receive their EITCs," Crenshaw said. "We want to put as much money back into the pockets of tax payers as we can, because people are entitled to their earnings."
Thousands of local families leave money on the table every year by failing to claim EITC and Child Tax Credits from the IRS. The EITC is the federal government’s largest and most effective program to aid low-income workers.
Because of local volunteers, the UWCT VITA program is able to run year after year.
“Thank you to Joel and everyone who donated their time to prepare taxes and make this year’s program a success,” said UWCT Executive Director Ann Thompson. “It would not have been possible without you.”
For more information about the UWCT VITA program, please call (254) 778-8616.