ORLANDO, Fla. — Tax season is upon us, and one program is helping low-income families file easier.
- VITA helps low-income families with tax prep
- Program available at 11 Goodwill Job Centers in Central Florida
- Many volunteers are retired Certified Public Accountants
It’s happening through a partnership between Goodwill and the United Way called VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance.
Most volunteers are retired certified public accountants looking forward to giving back by doing what they know best.
"(It’s) free help to these people that they don't really have the money to pay for tax preparation... In the outside it’s very expensive," said Marta Fernandez, an accountant and volunteer for VITA.
Residents need to have a low to moderate income to qualify for the program, generally $56,000 and below.
Paulette Dube, 75, from St. Cloud has used the program before and is grateful.
"They want to help the senior citizens. It’s awesome. I think it’s awesome that they do it,” Dube said.
The program is offered at 11 GoodWill Job Connection Centers in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Brevard, Seminole, and Volusia counties. VITA has been around for more than 50 years.