(WNY news Now) The United Way of Chautauqua County is seeking volunteers to assist in running the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in 2025, which will give residents of the county vital tax assistance.
The United Ways of Chautauqua County (UWCC) is currently seeking volunteers to assist in the local implementation of the 2025 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
To ensure that individuals and families in Chautauqua County receive all of the money they are entitled to on their federal and state returns, United Way and community volunteers offer free tax preparation services to eligible households through the VITA program.
The success of the program depends on committed volunteers who help with intake, file tax returns, and provide vital translation services.
More than $1.9 million in refunds were given to local taxpayers last year thanks to the assistance of VITA volunteers who prepared 1,307 federal tax returns and 1,362 state filings.
According to Amy Rohler, Executive Director of the UWCC, volunteering for VITA is a meaningful way to give back to your community. This program guarantees that everyone, including those with impairments and limited English proficiency, as well as low-to-moderate-income families, has fair access to their tax advantages.
The time to sign up for tax preparation training is now, as it will soon begin. No prior experience is required of volunteers; all training and IRS certification are given. In addition to tax preparation, site support volunteers are required for client reception, intake, and paperwork assistance. In order to assist as many families as possible in the upcoming year, translators—especially those who speak Spanish well—are also desperately needed.
There will be volunteer possibilities in Dunkirk, Jamestown, Mayville, Sinclairville, and possibly other places. Volunteers are needed on Saturdays, weekday evenings, and occasional weekday afternoons from January through April.
According to Joe Kwiatkowski, the countywide VITA coordinator, “our amazing volunteers are the key to VITA’s success.” Because of their commitment, millions of dollars are reinvested in our community, strengthening it and helping families.
The United Ways of Chautauqua County can be contacted by interested volunteers by:
Making a 716-483-1561 call
UWVITA texted to 41444
Sending an email to [email protected]
Beginning in late January, the program will run at community locations across Chautauqua County. 211 Western New York, a free service partially supported by the United Ways of Chautauqua County, will handle all appointment scheduling.