The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program administered by Goodwill of St. Joseph County is looking for volunteers. VITA is a government-sponsored program that assists low-income taxpayers by preparing and filing their federal and state taxes free of charge. Last year, from the end of January through April 15th, the program helped more than 1850 taxpayers in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties, saving them thousands of dollars in preparation fees.
VITA volunteers come from many different backgrounds, from college professors to librarians, from retired ministers to health professionals. NO PRIOR TAX PREPARATION EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED. All of the expertise necessary to pass the IRS VITA certification tests in order to become a VITA tax preparer is provided through a series of Zoom and/or in-person training sessions that take place during the fall. Preparers typically work in groups of four or more, which means that veteran volunteers are available to answer questions and help solve problems, if necessary.
Other ways to participate in the program, such as acting as a greeter or screener, don't require doing tax preparation.
Being part of the VITA program is a great way to contribute to the community while working with a group of compatible and helpful fellow volunteers.
If you would like to learn more about the program, please feel free to call or email Chuck Rosenberg at 574-276-5013 or email crosenbe@nd.edu and/or attend the INFORMATIONAL OPEN HOUSE in the COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER, Beutter-Kenan Room, in the DOWNTOWN SOUTH BEND BRANCH of the ST. JOSEPH COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, at 10 AM.