UNITED WAY VITA VOLUNTEERS HELPED BRING BACK $1.5 MILLION INTO THE POCKETS OF HARD-WORKING PEOPLE

United Way completed a successful fourth year with their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Free Tax Assistance Program. United Way operated 6 sites with locations in Sarasota, Laurel, Venice, North Port, and Arcadia.

860 tax returns were prepared free of charge by 55 VITA volunteers with $1,516,542 in total refunds. VITA client, Marissa, commented on her experience, "Thank you United Way volunteers for doing my taxes for free! The money I saved on not paying a tax preparer will go a long way for this working mother!"

Tax preparation was offered by IRS-certified volunteers for hard-working families and individuals earning $50,000 or less in 2011. The goal of the program is to increase the number of residents applying for EITC and Child Tax Credits (CTC), therefore increasing the amount of their disposable income. With the current state of the economy and more Sarasota County residents out of work or with a significant loss of income, this important program helped many get back on the road to financial independence.

For additional information go to www.irs.gov and search for the keyword "EITC" or please contact:

Art Keckeissen
VITA Program Manager
United Way Suncoast
1445 2nd Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: 941-366-2686 ext. 316
Fax: 941-365-4368
Email: akeckeissen@uwsuncoast.org

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UNITED WAY VITA VOLUNTEERS HELPED BRING BACK $1.5 MILLION INTO THE POCKETS OF HARD-WORKING PEOPLE