VITA Appointments Full; MyFreeTaxes Still Available for Tax Filing

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - April 8, 2013 - PRLog -- United Way VITA  (volunteer income tax assistance) appointments, headed by the United Way of St. Joseph County, are now full. IRS-certified VITA volunteers have prepared and e-filed over 2,350 returns in 2013, surpassing last year’s 1,500, with an overall 57% increase.

"We are thrilled that we were able to file more returns this year than ever before," said Dawn Chapla, Director of Labor & Financial Stability at United Way of St. Joseph County. "United Way is so proud of our faithful volunteers who worked tirelessly to help our working families across our communities keep their refund dollars working for them."

Although VITA appointments are full, UW can still help you prepare and e-file your taxes for free.  By visiting www.myfreetaxes.com/uwtaxhelp, individuals or families with a combined income under $57,000, can use this completely free program that provides step-by-step instructions and a help phone line and email to get assistance from an IRS-certified professional if needed. MyFreeTaxes provides free state and federal tax preparation and filing assistance. Since 2009, 4.5 million families have claimed nearly $6 billion in tax credits and refunds. Go to www.myfreetaxes.com/uwtaxhelp for more information or to check eligibility. The MyFreeTaxes program includes Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), SNAP and WIC education and is powered by a $4.35 million grant from the Walmart Foundation. The tax deadline is April 15.

Financial Stability Division is part of United Way of St. Joseph County’s Pro$perity Building Campaign. Through the Pro$perity Building Campaign, United Way is working to meet basic needs, build family support systems, increase income, build savings, and gain and sustain assets.

United Way of St. Joseph County is a nonprofit organization working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. It works closely with 57 local agency programs to meet the community needs of St. Joseph County.