United Way Palm Beach volunteers generate $16.2 million in refunds for county taxpayers

By Palm Beach Business.com

BOYNTON BEACH – For the seventh year in a row, United Way of Palm Beach County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program helped Palm Beach County taxpayers, and in the process, set a new program record.

United Way’s VITA Program provides free income tax-preparation for households with incomes of $49,000 or less. This year, 9,500 residents used the VITA service and received $16.2 million in refunds, an 8 percent increase over last year’s amount of refunds. In addition, residents received $6.2 million in Earned Income Tax Credits, a 9 percent increase over last year and also a record.

“The VITA Program continues to demonstrate its value to this community,” United Way CEO Charles W. Anderson said. “The VITA Program helps hard-working individuals and families receive refunds they deserve, including the Earned Income Tax Credit. They in turn spend those dollars to stimulate the local economy.”

Partners in United Way’s VITA Program include Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, National Disability Institute, Bank of America, Wells Fargo/Wachovia, Wal-Mart Foundation and Macy’s Foundation.

In its seven year history, United Way’s VITA Program has helped return $137 million to Palm Beach County residents. Through an evaluation of the VITA Program, research shows that taxpayers receiving refunds through returns processed at VITA sites used their refunds for many purposes such as paying off debt, “investing” in education or housing, or opening a bank account. This is new money for the local economy.

During the tax season,  United Way operates 19 VITA sites located throughout the county.  Volunteers who have received training in tax preparation from the United Way and the IRS staff the sites. This year, the United Way used  203 volunteers who put in a minimum of four hours per week at a VITA site. Volunteers put in more than 10,000 hours preparing taxes for local residents.

Outside of the tax season, United Way provides back tax filing assistance at all four of its Prosperity Centers. Prosperity Centers are a one-stop source of various services including: resolving credit issues, money management, benefits, educational/vocational counseling, financial case management and housing counseling. The Prosperity Centers are located in Belle Glade, Delray Beach, Pahokee and West Palm Beach.

 

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