Helping Thousands Through Tax Program

          The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program of the Social Development Commission and the Milwaukee Asset Building Coalition successfully helped thousands of households in the recently completed tax season.  That was the message at the 2013 SDC VITA Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.

          During the 2012-2013 tax season, certified VITA tax preparers filled out and filed at no charge more than 15,200 tax returns for Milwaukee County low-income residents.  Preliminary tabulations show those tax returns brought back to the local economy more than $14,287,000 in tax refunds and credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Homestead Tax Credit.  Those figures are however expected to rise once final figures for the returns are determined.

          At the luncheon, the many partners of the program and volunteers were recognized for their efforts.  Northwestern Mutual was singled out for establishing a new VITA site at the 16th Street Community Health Center and staffing that site with volunteer tax preparers.  That location was credited with preparing almost 100 tax returns that garnered approximately $100,000 for Southside residents using the tax site.

          Several volunteers were recognized for ten years of service to the VITA program.  A recent letter from a tax filer was also shared that described the positive experience she had at a VITA site during the tax season.  And it was reported that 194 persons opened a traditional bank account through VITA sites for direct deposit of their tax refund.

         To learn more about the VITA program and its 12 year history, visit the SDC website at www.cr-sdc.org/index/Programs--Services/VITA.htm.