The Volunteer Income Tax assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $65,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. 

In addition to VITA, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS. 

 If you DO have all the necessary documents to file your return, then you may complete an intake form at United Way of the Ouachitas along with your supporting documents; special security card and photo ID for every person claimed on the return. We will then inform our additional VITA volunteers who process the tax return, the return will be gone over with the filer for approval before it is e-filed. 

VITA is an additional component to our “Financial Stability” pillar that United Ways provide program funding for. There are two additional United Ways in Arkansas who also run internal VITA programs; United Way of Central Arkansas and United Way of Northeast Arkansas.

To become an IRS trained volunteer for VITA please contact Livvey Rurup at livvey.rurup@local.unitedway.org or 501-623-2505.