BETTENDORF, IOWA (March 11, 2019) — For the 11th year in a row, United Way of the Quad Cities, has partnered with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to help Quad Citizens with their tax preparations.
The program connects Quad Citizens with a household income of $57,000 or less with IRS-Certified volunteers who help prepare tax returns for free at 15 locations throughout the Quad Cities. In 2018, 6,400 Quad Citizens received free tax preparation, and $5.2 million was returned to them in federal income tax dollars through VITA.
“Income is a determining factor to leading your best possible life, and taxes are a big part of that,” said Rene Gellerman, CEO & president of United Way of the Quad Cities. “With one in three Quad Cities families struggling to meet their basic needs, United Way focuses on financial stability as one of its three impact areas. VITA is giving Quad Citizens the boost they need to make their dollars go further to provide needs like food, shelter and transportation for their loved ones.”
According to Gellerman, the best part of this effort is the more than 170 IRS-certified and trained volunteers who drive the program.
“Last year, local VITA volunteers gave an astonishing 9,500 volunteer hours to help Quad Citizens with their tax returns,” said Gellerman. “Because of their volunteer efforts, families using the VITA program, on average, received a return of around $1,500.”
Janene Finley, associate professor of accounting at St. Ambrose University, is among the core group of volunteers for VITA and a “true inspiration to those she teaches,” according to Gellerman. She has been involved in the program for more than 11 years — training more than 300 students to volunteer at VITA sites around the Quad Cities.
“There are two things I hope students get out of the experience,” she said. “Real-world experience and an appreciation for how much they have to be thankful for. Preparing someone’s taxes is a very personal experience and it really makes you realize just how much you have.”
Quad Citizens are invited to schedule appointments with volunteers for the free services, at one of the many Quad Cities VITA locations, by dialing 2-1-1 or 563.355.9900. Appointments are being taken through April 12 or until the sessions are full. For a complete list of items needed for VITA appointments, please contact 2-1-1 or visit unitedwayqc.org/vita.
About United Way of the Quad Cities:
United Way believes every Quad Citizen deserves the opportunity to live their best life. These opportunities happen by involving people in volunteerism, advocacy and giving. The result is a mobilized community creating the conditions that improve individual lives and strengthen the Quad Cities. unitedwayqc.org
