A free tax preparation program will return to the region after $18,000 was awarded to provide the service through the United Way of Central Shenandoah Valley.
The funding was allocated through the Virginia Community Action Partnership, which previously supported the same program for the United Way of Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro, which closed its doors more than one year ago.
Since the SAW affiliate ceased operations, the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County based United Way has expanded to cover the Greater Augusta region, providing support to ALICE, or Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed, households in the area.
The funds were part of $485,000 in awards to 21 coalitions across Virginia through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program.
The VACAP program, called the Virginia CASH Campaign, provides opportunities for taxpayers to file both federal and state tax returns and claim valuable tax credits like the federal Child Tax Credit and both the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit.
“Being one of the grantees from across the Commonwealth enables us to impact the lives of individuals and families as we continue to build our VITA work for tax-filing season,” said Amanda Leech, President and CEO of United Way of Central Shenandoah Valley.
The goal is to help file 300 tax returns at sites in Harrisonburg, Waynesboro and Staunton this tax season. The organization will provide assistance to households with a combined income of $68,000 or less.
With an average professional filing cost of $200 for a simple return, UWCSV expects to save working households in the region nearly $60,000.
“When we announced our expansion in April of this year, one of the feedback items we heard – especially in the Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro region – was bringing VITA back,” Leech said.
“This grant allows us to do that, and we are excited to bring it back and help households keep more of their hard-earned money and make sure they are claiming the tax credits for which they are eligible.”
The locations and further details will be announced at a later date.
Valley VITA prepared returns for 800 to 1,000 households annually but shut down after the local United Way ceased operations.
ICYMI
- United Way of Harrisonburg, Rockingham expands into SAW area
- Community meeting gives voice to 13 nonprofits affected by United Way closing
- Local United Way closure also ends free tax prep through Valley VITA
- Sheriff’s Office investigates ‘questionable’ transactions of former United Way CEO
When the United Way of Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro closed in November 2024, board members alleged “questionable transactions” linked to its former executive director, Kristi Williams, as part of the reason for the decision.
An affidavit for a search warrant to access her bank account was filed on Nov. 20, 2024. More than a year later, the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and Commonwealth’s Attorney do not appear to have secured a grand jury indictment or filed any formal criminal charges against Williams, according to online court records.
There has also been no public statement on the status of the investigation.
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Crystal Graham
