VIRTUAL VITA

This year, VITA is going virtual.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program has been a staple in helping income-eligible families and individuals in the Capital Region as IRS-trained volunteers assist thousands file tax returns for free, saving them millions in fees, which then stay in the local economy. 

This year, to protect everyone's health and safety, VITA is offering assistance through the virtual platform, GetYourRefund.org. Residents will still be working one-on-one with a volunteer, but instead of in-person preparation, individuals will upload their tax documents through a secure email address which are then filed by the volunteer. The announcement was made Friday, Jan. 29, in the Cahill Room in downtown Albany. County Executive Daniel P. McCoy was joined by Peter Gannon, president and CEO at United Way of the Greater Capital Region, Assemblyman John McDonald III and Jenn Hyde, executive director of Catholic Charities Tri-County Services, to announce the virtual launch.

“Last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the middle of tax season, our VITA program and VITA programs across our area had to adapt. We couldn't safely have people on-site, and many folks had to utilize other resources to complete their taxes," Hyde said. "This season’s virtual approach will once again allow our IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers to provide free and accurate services to our community members in this time when the service is needed more than ever.”  

To accommodate those who are unable to scan their documents, Hyde said that Catholic Charities’ CC MOVE RV will be available in the Pastoral Center parking lot (40 N. Main Ave.) via appointment as trained volunteers will scan and upload documents and explain the process. All CDC guidelines will be followed to minimize the risk of COVID. In years past, the VITA program was run out of the Pastoral Center with many of the volunteers coming from Catholic Central High School in Troy.

VITA volunteers are trained to find out if individuals qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other refundable credits. The IRS estimates that only four out of five workers claim the EITC they earned, leaving billions of dollars on the table each year.

“The Earned Income Tax Credit is repeatedly cited as one of the most effective tools for lifting working families out of poverty,” Gannon said. “The VITA program puts this money directly back into the pockets of our community members and they can use that income boost for basic needs like reliable transportation to work, childcare, groceries or other bills.”

The VITA program is made possible by the CA$H Coalition of the Greater Capital Region, a collaborative of dozens of regional non-profit organizations, such as Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, with the goal of increasing individuals’ and families’ financial security and building greater financial inclusion.

In the past three years, the CA$H Coalition has facilitated 36,994 returns yielding $56M in returns, nearly $12M in EITC, and saving filers $9M in filing fees. In 2020, despite the mid-tax season shutdown caused by COVID-19, VITA prepared 6,363 returns and helped put $15 million back into the local economy.

Families and individuals with an income of $56,000 or less are eligible. To schedule an appointment to use a mobile scanner in the CC MOVES RV, call United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline. To start income tax preparation assistance virtually, visit GetYourRefund.org.  

For more information, visit https://www.unitedwaygcr.org/cash.