United Way program does more tax returns
United Way of Central Iowa’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program reported 515 more completed tax returns than last year.
As of the May 2 deadline, United Way volunteers had completed 2,795 tax returns. The total amount for refunds, child tax credits and earned income tax credits was more than $4.3 million, returning an average of $1,543 per taxpayer.
The program completes tax returns free of charge for qualified lower-income taxpayers. Program Director Jane Fogg estimates the nine United Way VITA sites – led by 200 volunteers – saved clients about $500,000 in tax preparation and loan fees.