VITA 2024 - That's A Wrap
This year, we celebrated 21 years of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This program offers services to individuals and families with low-to-moderate income who are eligible for tax credits. Volunteers are trained to become IRS-certified and work diligently to get the tax refunds each person deserves.
Thanks to our 110 dedicated VITA volunteers, coordinators, and staff, more than 5,500 volunteer hours, an in-kind value of more than $174,900. To date, we served approximately 8,500 clients yielding $9.5M in tax refunds, $3M in Earned Income Tax Credits, $2.2M in Child Tax Credits, and saving taxpayers filing fees of $1.7M!
To wrap up the 2024 campaign, we wanted to show appreciation to everyone who made this tax season so successful. United Way of Palm Beach County hosted a VITA Recognition Brunch on Saturday, April 20th at Palm Beach Atlantic University and had the opportunity to recognize our volunteers, community partners, sponsors, and staff for all that they contributed.
Thank you to our community partners who hosted our 16 VITA sites:
- The Arc of Palm Beach County
- Community Partners of South Florida
- Eva Mack Community Hub
- Lindsey Davis Senior Center
- Lois Martin Community Center
- Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach
- Palm Beach County Jupiter Community Action
- Palm Beach County Belle Glade Library
- Palm Beach County Greenacres Library
- Palm Beach County Main Library
- Palm Beach County West Boca Library
- Palm Beach County West Boynton Beach Library
- Palm Springs Public Library
- Pompey Park Recreation Center
- Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center
- William T. Dwyer High School (The School District of Palm Beach County)
Thank you to our VITA partners and sponsors:
- Bank of America
- Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County
- Palm Beach Atlantic University
- Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners
- Palm Beach State College
- Third Federal Savings & Loan Association
- Wells Fargo
- 211 Palm Beach & Treasure Coast
The Internal Revenue Service has been a key partner of the VITA program. Their partnership has allowed us to be able to provide free, confidential, and secure preparation and e-filing of tax returns to qualified taxpayers. We greatly appreciate Gina Ruiz-Fernandez, Senior Stakeholder Relationship Tax Consultant, for her ongoing support to VITA staff and volunteers throughout the tax season.
This year, we also wanted to recognize one of our youngest VITA volunteers, Thomas Kilkenny, who is only in high school! We applaud his determination and are grateful for hard-working volunteers like him.
Although tax season has come and gone, a VITA site will be open on limited days over the summer to begin prepping for next season.
Where
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach located located at 411 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
When
10:00am-12:00pm on the below dates:
- Wednesday, May 15
- Tuesday, June 18
- Wednesday, August 21
- Wednesday, September 18
- Tuesday, October 15
We look forward to another year of the VITA program in 2025 where we can continue to be a valuable resource to our community.
