Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/
Earned Income Tax Credit

Arrowhead United Way has sponsored a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site through Cal State University San Bernardino for the past several years. VITA offers free tax preparations for low-income wage earners. Volunteer tax preparers are trained and certified by the IRS to prepare and e-file tax returns for qualified clients. VITA is good for the community as well because refunds that are put back into the local community will help stimulate the economy.

For those who qualify, the Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable federal income tax credit. EITC can put up to $4,500 in the pockets of working parents who earn up to $38,348 per year. These refunds lift more children out of poverty than any federal program. It’s our largest resource for low-income families. Congress approved the legislation in part to provide an incentive to work.

Of those receiving EITC, 63.4% use their tax credit to pay current bills or debt, 20% use it to gain assets such as a vehicle, house, or education, and 12.4% use it to build savings. The money returned to individuals and families through the EITC is critical in helping them meet basic needs and achieve a level of financial stability.