Happy Volunteer Appreciation Month
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month! Our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) free tax prep programs would not be possible without amazing volunteers.
These volunteers get trained and certified by the IRS and then provide free tax help to community members—all without getting paid for their time.
Last year, 3,103 volunteers in the California United Way network helped nearly 100,000 community members save $37,608,200 in paid preparer fees. They also helped taxpayers get every tax credit that belongs to them. This includes credits like the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC).
The EITC continues to be the number one antipoverty program in the United States, helping put millions of dollars back into the pockets of hardworking Californians and into the local economy. Each filer can be eligible for thousands of dollars in credits, making a significant impact on families’ wallets. State tax credits like the CalEITC are more equitable than federal credits, putting money back into the pockets of taxpayers with a Social Security Number (SSN) as well as those with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). ITIN filers, who aren’t eligible for an SSN but pay taxes, are not eligible for federal tax credits, which is one reason California state tax credits are so essential.
“Tax credits are equalizers and game changers for people making a lower income or living in poverty. They are a significant tool toward economic inclusion, and economic inclusion is good for everyone, not just people living in poverty. Just as a rising tide lifts all boats, increasing access to financial services means more people are thriving. And that’s good for the whole community.” — Dr. Dawnté Early, President and CEO, United Way California Capital Region
VITA volunteers are not only more likely to help people claim credits like the CalEITC, but they also have a 96.4% accuracy rate on tax returns—the highest in the industry.
Hear from VITA Volunteers
“We’re not just tax preparers; we are also here to advocate for our community. We teach people what W2s, W4s, 1099s are. We teach them how to write things off and help them make sure they’re doing it correctly. I explain why filers are getting the amount they are getting and the basics of what they need to do so that when they do their taxes each year they feel more empowered. We care about helping community members learn through the process and save money. People trust us and feel comfortable with us even more knowing that volunteers are people in the community. We really comfort people and put their minds at ease.”
— Alexis Obinna, Los Angeles County
“Volunteering with VITA is a win-win: Volunteers get the satisfaction of helping someone in their community, and clients get the satisfaction of knowing that their taxes are prepared correctly, at no cost. VITA is important because paid tax preparers cost hundreds of dollars that most of our clients simply don’t have. The vast majority of our clients are just so grateful that we are there to provide the service.”
— Debby Nelson, a five-time VITA Volunteer in Sacramento County who has found this a fulfilling way to spend retirement
“I hear ‘thank you’ and ‘I don’t know what I would have done without you’ over and over. This process is confusing and quite a mystery to most taxpayers. It makes my heart glad to lend a hand. I have a sticker on my computer that says ‘Love, Empathy, Respect.’ That about sums it up.”
— Susan Knowles, who has volunteered for VITA for nearly 20 years in San Luis Obispo County, helping hundreds of community members and helping train the next generation of VITA volunteers
We’re so grateful for our California VITA volunteers!
Interested in volunteering next tax season? Sign up now here and you’ll receive information when it becomes available
