More Mesa residents helped by VITA volunteers

Thanks in part to the economic stimulus payments, volunteers provided free tax help to 1,422 low income, elderly and disabled families living in Mesa during the 2008 tax season as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).  That’s an increase of 488 households from last year.

The volunteer effort paid off, with one hour of time worth close to $900.  The VITA program returned more than $1 million in federal tax refunds, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), directly to the families it helped.  The average federal refund during the 2008 tax season was $894.  In addition, VITA volunteers prepared 216 returns for residents who normally are exempt from filing taxes, but did so in order to receive an economic stimulus payment.  Those payments ranged anywhere from $300 to $1200, depending on filing status and number of dependent children.

Free Income Tax Preparation

During the tax season, 73 VITA volunteers served as tax preparers, greeters, screeners and translators at four different sites in the City to help Mesa residents prepare the basic 1040 tax returns and related schedules.  The volunteers donated a total of 2,157 hours.  The value of their volunteer time was $42,083.  The VITA volunteers were recognized at a reception May 20 at the Mesa Arts Center and were given certificates of appreciation from the office of Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano.
If you want to become a VITA volunteer next year, contact Mesa Neighborhood Services Volunteer Coordinator Katie Brown at 480-644-3705 or katie.brown@cityofmesa.org.  Training will begin in January.