United Way of the Plains is recruiting 160 volunteers for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that will operate Jan. 31 through April 15 in 2024. The service is offered at no charge to households making $64,000 or less annually. Funded through an annual grant secured from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and managed by the United Way of the Plains, the program is overseen by Sarah Crick Milligan, VITA Program Manager for United Way of the Plains.
Milligan recruits volunteers who are then trained to become IRS certified to file taxes and identify tax credits. More than 5,780 returns were prepared in 2023, valued at more than $7 million that was returned to the local economy. Tax refunds help our neighbors become financially stable by retaining more of their earned income for rent, food, medical costs and other necessary expenses.
According to Milligan, many people in the area depend on the program that was originally established in 2003.
“The refunds from this program have a stabilizing financial impact on the lives of our friends and neighbors,” she said. “Our volunteers are essential to operate the program and we need more people to become involved as we expand the number of locations where services are offered.”
Site coordinators and greeters are also needed for the tax season. These volunteer opportunities are ideal for young professionals who wish to add valuable experience to their resumes, retirees who are seeking a temporary volunteer position and anyone with a passion to help others. Interested volunteers should sign up at unitedwayplains.org/taxvolunteer for the program with locations across Sedgwick, Butler, Cowley, Ford, Geary, Marion, Pratt and Sumner counties.
Interested in becoming a tax preparation volunteer?
- No experience needed
- Free training provided to become IRS certified
- Short-term opportunity (January through April)
- Select your site and service type (in-person or virtual) that fits your schedule
- On-site support from experienced professionals
Watch for additional information in January about the location and the hours of operation for VITA sites.
