FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — This year’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program was a huge success for people in the community, connecting filers to $28.6 million in income-tax refunds through free tax-preparation services.
This tax season, VITA saw tremendous gains compared to the 2022 tax season, with significant increases in the number of individuals filing their taxes with VITA. Of course, VITA is a completely free tax-preparation service for households earning up to $55,000 per year. There were 11 convenient locations throughout San Antonio and one location in Fredericksburg.
VITA filers received $28.6 million in income tax refunds this year, down from $36 million in 2022. The decrease was largely due to the expiration of pandemic-related relief programs, the end of the expanded Child Tax Credit and other factors.
This year VITA saw:
- 21,000+ people file their taxes with VITA, a 19% increase from the 2022 tax season.
- $4.7 million in tax-preparation fees saved by filers using VITA, an increase from the $3.9 million VITA users saved during tax season in 2022.
While tax season is over, free VITA services are available year-round at the Willie C. Velasquez Center, St. Philip’s College and the Guadalupe Community Center.
VITA is a free tax preparation service that is brought to the community through a partnership between United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, the City of San Antonio and Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc. Additional support was provided by H-E-B, Broadway Bank, Frost Bank, River City Federal Credit Union and the Internal Revenue Service.
For more information on VITA, please visit vitasa.org.
Media contact: Kevin Femmel, Director of Communications, kfemmel@unitedwaysatx.org, 210-836-8616.
###
About United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County launched its first campaign in 1940 and has grown into the largest private investor in health and human services programs in San Antonio and Bexar County. United Way focuses on preparing children for school and life, helping students graduate and succeed, strengthening the well-being of individuals and families, and providing safety net services. United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County also operates the 2-1-1 Helpline, Mission United and fosters volunteerism through the Volunteer Center at United Way.
About the City of San Antonio – Vibrant & Thriving
San Antonio is a vibrant city with a thriving economy, deep cultural heritage and communities that are compassionate, inclusive and proudly diverse. It is the seventh largest city in the United States and one of the strongest fiscally managed cities in the country, nurturing entrepreneurship, encouraging investment and funding infrastructure. The City fosters partnership and growth opportunities in aerospace, bioscience, cybersecurity, green technologies, healthcare, and information technology. San Antonio’s famed Riverwalk and Alamo are the top tourist attractions in Texas, and its historic missions are a designated World Heritage Site – the first and only in Texas. Proudly called Military City, USA®, San Antonio is home to one of the largest populations of active duty military and veterans, as well as mission-critical commands, including military medicine, cybersecurity, pilot training and basic training. For more information, visit SanAntonio.gov and follow @COSAGov on social.
About Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.: The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide for the needs of our community through selfless service under the sign of love. Catholic Charities serves all people, regardless of race, religion, or national origin, from birth to natural death, through a network of comprehensive programs that include basic needs, family and children’s services, legal services, refugee resettlement, counseling, pregnant and parenting education, and senior services with the goal of providing basic needs, strengthening the vulnerable, nurturing families, and promoting self-sufficiency. For more information, visit www.ccaosa.org or call (210) 222-1294.
|
Categories: Press Releases |
