The 2022 season of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program – offering free tax preparation for San Antonio/Bexar County individuals and families who earned up to $55,000 last year – has kicked off.
Providing free tax preparation for low-income populations, VITA strengthens a family’s ability to save preparers fees, pay bills and save for the future.
The VITA program is available through April 18, 2022. VITA sites, information and operating hours may be found at this website – https://vitasa.org/ or by calling United Way’s 2-1-1 Helpline. This year the majority of the 11 VITA locations are operating with curbside and drop-off services, with most offering evening and weekend hours.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) created VITA more than 40 years ago with local communities to provide free tax return preparation to low-income taxpayers, using IRS-trained community volunteers. VITA is an important tool in helping to ensure that all eligible residents can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and other credits for which they may be eligible.
During the regular VITA season last year, volunteers prepared more than 22,000 tax returns that brought in $35 million in tax refunds and $6 million in EITC to low-income families and individuals. That money went back into the San Antonio economy. Plus, VITA saved these taxpayers an estimated $4 million in tax preparation fees.
“These refunds are particularly meaningful when people are struggling with rising gas, rent and grocery prices and are especially helpful for those who may have lost employment or are catching up on utility or medical bills,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.
Click here for Mayor Nirenberg’s video message.
“We’re proud to collaborate with the City of San Antonio and Catholic Charities on this important effort that strengthens the financial stability of working individuals and families across Bexar County,” said Chris Martin, United Way President and CEO. “If you know someone who can benefit from VITA or needs any type of assistance, please call United Way’s 2-1-1 Helpline, 24/7.”
Click here for Chris Martin’s video.
“We are always happy to work with our partners, especially the City of San Antonio Department of Human Services and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, to deliver needed programs and services like VITA to our community,” said J. Antonio Fernandez, President/CEO, Catholic Charities. “Catholic Charities works hard all year to recruit, train, and recognize hundreds of volunteers who will dedicate thousands of hours preparing taxes for free to San Antonio families. The collective hard work of our organizations, our staff, and our volunteers will help provide financial stability and independence for many across our great city.”
Click here for J. Antonio Fernandez’s video.
“It’s your money, come and get it,” said U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, 35th Congressional District. “It won’t cost you a dime to quickly get money you earned last year that was previously deducted for taxes. Plus, you can probably also access some child tax credit money. And for Bexar County small businesses, this means more neighbors who can afford necessities for their families.”
Click here for Congressman Doggett’s video.
“The San Antonio VITA partnership has received top national recognition for its role in helping to bring the program to San Antonio’s citizens,” said Sheila Anderson-Ruth, VITA Site Management Senior Management Analyst for the City of San Antonio Department of Human Services. “It’s not about accolade, it’s about providing a service that helps ease the financial struggle for our friends and neighbors across San Antonio.”
Find Sheila Anderson-Ruth’s video here.
Returns are filed electronically so that refund dollars are quickly back in taxpayers’ hands. There is also a Refund Anticipation Loan option available through River City Federal Credit Union at the Claude Black and Presa Community Center locations to receive refunds in as little as one week or less.
VITA sponsors include Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc., City of San Antonio, United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, Broadway Bank, Frost Bank, H-E-B, River City Federal Credit Union, and support from the Internal Revenue Service.
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