VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISSTANCE - VITA
For the 2011 Tax Season, Call 2-1-1 for a Kern VITA Partnership site nearest YOU!
What is VITA?
The VITA program offers tax preparations for low-to moderate-income individuals. All tax returns are prepared for FREE by IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers. The goal of VITA is to ensure that Kern County workers receive all of the tax benefits they've earned, with an emphasis on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit.
United Way of Kern County coordinates the efforts of the Kern VITA Partnership, a collaborative effort of several agencies.
What is EITC?
The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable credit for low-to moderate-income individuals and families. Each year, tens of millions of dollars of EITC goes unclaimed in Kern County because people don't know they are eligible. Because EITC is a refundable credit, the amount of a family's refund can sometimes exceed the amount of tax withheld from their paychecks.
Where Are The Kern VITA Partnership Sites In Kern County?
How do I Become a VITA Volunteer?
Volunteers are the key to success of the VITA effort. For the 2011 tax-filing season, more than 100 volunteers came together to prepare taxes at sites throughout Bakersfield and Kern County. LEARN MORE about volunteering for VITA.
If you'd like to register as a VITA volunteer, call 661.834.1820 or CLICK HERE. No previous tax experience is necessary. Complete training is provided.
2010 Kern County Tax-Year Facts At-A-Glance:
- VITA volunteers helped Kern County filers claim more than $7.2 million in tax refunds
- EITC Refunds were $3,178,039
- Total Child Tax Credits were $1,773,469
- 5,020 tax returns completed
- $502,000 total savings from tax preparations fees
A Special Thank You to Our Kern County VITA Partnership Funders
Internal Revenue Service: Awarded United Way of Kern County $99,325 to enhance the Kern VITA Partnership program for free tax preparation services during the 2011 filing season.
Bank of America: For the second year, Bank of America awarded United Way of Kern County $10,000 to support the work of the Kern VITA Partnership.
United Way of Kern County: More than $40,000 in UWKC donor funds support the VITA program.
Kern County VITA Partners
