Two information sessions are scheduled this month for community members to learn more about volunteering with a free income tax assistance program, known as VITA.
The United Way of Central Shenandoah Valley will host the two events for potential volunteers to learn more with one planned in Staunton and one in Harrisonburg next week.
The VITA program provides free, reliable tax preparation services for working households with a combined income of $68,000 or less across the Central Shenandoah Valley.
The future of the service was in jeopardy with the sudden closure of the United Way of Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro on Nov. 8, 2024.
The Virginia Community Action Partnership recently allocated $18,000 to the program which was brought back by the United Way of Central Shenandoah Valley, who expanded its coverage area after the closure of the SAW affiliate. It previously focused on the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County region.
The 2026 VITA season will begin in mid-February and run for approximately nine weeks, with tax preparation sites planned in Harrisonburg, Staunton and Waynesboro. The site locations have not been announced.
“Our VITA volunteers make a difference for working households across the Central Shenandoah Valley,” said Nadina Pupic, director of programs for United Way of Central Shenandoah Valley. “They help families receive accurate tax preparation and help hard-working households keep more of what they earn.
“Volunteers are at the heart of making this possible.”
The goal is to help file 300 tax returns at sites in the three cities this tax season saving taxpayers a combined $60,000 in fees.
For more information on being a volunteer, please contact Pupic at [email protected].
Volunteering with VITA
Community members with interest in volunteering during tax season are encouraged to attend one of the sessions to learn how VITA works and how to get involved.
Volunteers are needed to fill several roles, including greeters and screeners, interpreters, tax preparers and quality reviewers.
The sessions will be offered:
- Tuesday, Jan. 13: Lucy Simms Center, 620 Simms Ave., 6-7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 14: Staunton Public Library, 1 Churchville Ave., 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
Tax preparers and quality reviewers are required to pass IRS certification on current tax law.
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Crystal Graham
