When people are financially stable, they can make financial decisions that benefit themselves and their families, which, in turn, benefits the community. Being financially stable also puts families in a better position to handle crisis – job loss, illness or other unforeseen expenses.
The VITA program is just one way United Way of Acadiana is creating financial stability. In the last three years, this program put approximately $13 million back in the hands of hardworking families through free tax preparation assistance. During that period, volunteers assisted thousands of Acadiana residents in filing their taxes, helping them claim approximately $2 million each year of the nearly $30 million in Earned Income Tax Credit that goes unclaimed annually.
IRS Certified Tax Preparers are available to help you in Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary & Vermilion Parishes. Questions? Please contact Nicole Phillips at nicole.phillips@unitedwayofacadiana.org or 337.233.8302 x213.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Tell me about the VITA program, please.
VITA stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and it offers free tax preparation utilizing volunteers that are certified and trained by the IRS.
Who is eligible for this free service?
Anyone with a household income of $56,000 or less is eligible for the free service.
Do most people get a refund?
YES! Just last year we helped Acadiana residents claim nearly $3 million in refunds.
How many people took advantage of this program last year?
Over 3,000 local residents utilized our service last year.
What are Super Tax Days?
Super Tax Days are tax prep events that we utilize to bring wide scale awareness to the VITA program.
What should people bring with them when meeting with the tax specialist?
- Driver's License
- Social Security Card
- W2s and other tax documents
When it comes to tax preparation, what tips can you offer folks?
Most people do not take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). We aggressively search for the EITC as it can garner over $6,000 extra on your refund.
