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No, not the season of packed malls, repetitive holiday jingles in every store, and an endless flow of boxes being dropped at the door. But it is the season that can cause just as much stress and procrastination—it’s Tax Season. When it comes to taxes, many of us can feel overwhelmed by the technical jargon and trying to figure out which credits we can claim…or even knowing what a credit is. One of the main pillars of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona’s vision is to improve the equity of employment and financial wellness outcomes of adults and families for life-long well-being. One way we achieve this is through our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program which provides free tax preparation for any household earning up to $73,000. Our IRS certified volunteers help community members claim every tax credit available to them. By claiming eligible tax credits, Arizona residents can use their refunds to pay off debts, secure better housing, obtain dependable transportation, and pursue higher education ensuring improving the financial wellness of current and future generations. 

Here are the nuts and bolts of the VITA program: 
– We offer FREE tax preparation for Arizona individuals and families earning up to $73k annually. 
– Services are provided by a team of IRS-certified and highly motivated volunteers. 
– Multiple in-person and online filing options are available for clients to choose from.

Our in-person sites for this year opened at the end of January, and the dedicated volunteers are already making a significant impact on local community members. “I got a call from one of our in-person clients that had come in our first day open. She was one of those clients I remember because she seemed so…close to tears most of the time she was with us. Her return was accepted that day.” Pete, a VITA volunteer recalls that she told him she had looked at her bank account 3 days later because she had to pay her mortgage that she was behind on. Thinking she did not have the money for her February payment, she could not believe that both her federal and state refunds had already been deposited. “She called to tell me how thankful she was that we did her taxes and wanted blessings passed along to our team. She said seeing the money was a miracle.”