For the first time, a local program that files tax returns for free is getting help from the folks whose job it is to collect income taxes – the IRS.

The United Way of Escambia County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance –  or VITA – program is hoping to increase the number of returns it prepares in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties by 10 percent this year, to a total of 3,000, says Lyndi Warner, the United Way’s community engagement director. A $52,000 grant from the IRS will help reach that goal.

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VITA Tax Help

The United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is still accepting volunteers to be tax preparers, tax assistants and greeters. To volunteer, go to http://www.unitedwayescambia.org/vita and/or call Carlee Hoffmann, the United Way’s financial stability coordinator, at (850) 444-7042.

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“This is the first year we have received the IRS grant for our VITA program,” Warner said. “These funds allow us to concentrate more effort on expanding the program and stabilizing the services the taxpayers receive before, during and after tax season.”

While VITA tax preparation is provided by volunteers, the grant goes to cover materials, equipment and other administrative costs.

The United Way opened four VITA sites the first week of February, located at the main campus of Pensacola State College campus, the PSC Milton campus, the PSC Warrington campus, and St. Sylvester’s Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze. Services continue through the week of April 15.

Any household with an income of $60,000 or less is eligible to have their taxes prepared for free through the VITA program.

“The more people we can assist through the VITA program the more we can guarantee that their earned money is coming directly back to them, and is not being spent on unnecessary fees,” Warner said. “Oftentimes people assume that they must go to a paid preparer to maximize their refunds. Unfortunately this mindset often has people paying fees ranging from $30 to $300.”

All VITA tax preparers are IRS certified, and each return is checked by two volunteers.

“At our sites we have information about other services in the community that may be beneficial for the clients,” Warner said. “The volunteers are not only there to help someone file their taxes, but offer financial literacy support to that taxpayer if they need it.”

Although the service is available for any household with an income of $60,000 or less, Warner said the average income of returns filed through VITA is $23,137. She said most VITA clients report that they plan to use their refunds to pay bills.

“We also look at the taxpayers that receive the Earned Income Tax Credit, because that is a strong indicator of the program’s reach to working low income families,” she said. “From 2013 to 2014, there was a 40 percent increase in the dollar amount our clients received from the Earned Income Tax Credit, helping us conclude that our program is in fact reaching our goal - working individuals/families with children.”

The Earned Income Tax Credit is a benefit for working people who have low to moderate income. It reduces the amount of tax someone owes and may give them a refund they might not otherwise qualify for.

In addition to live help through the VITA program, the United Way offers online tax preparation at MyFreeTaxes.com.

The Milton VITA site offers help by appointment only, while the other three sites are open to walk-ins. For site addresses, times and other details go to http://www.unitedwayescambia.org/taxhelp. Questions may also be directed to the United Way’s 2-1-1 telephone hotline.