FORT MYERS — The United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has wrapped up another successful tax season, surpassing its goals and delivering substantial benefits to the community. With 234 dedicated volunteers, the program completed over 8,100 tax returns, resulting in $8.4 million in refunds for local residents. These refunds are critical, particularly for families who are struggling with the continually rising costs of living including rent, medical bills, groceries, and transportation expenses.

The collaborative effort of certified VITA volunteers and community partners enabled the operation of 23 traditional tax sites and 15 special events across a five-county area in Southwest Florida. The volunteers’ commitment translated into over 18,000 hours of service, valued at an estimated $572,400 with VITA’s total community impact reaching $11.5 million.

United Way is incredibly proud of our dedicated volunteers and the invaluable partnerships with local schools, churches, financial institutions, and agencies. Mary Meador, VITA Program Manager, stated, “Together, we reached and served more people than ever before, preparing accurate returns and assisting with IRS correspondence. This collective effort truly embodies the dedication and community spirit that drive our program’s success.”

The VITA program assists households earning $66,000 or less by accurately preparing and e-filing their federal tax returns free of charge. IRS-certified volunteers play a vital role in identifying clients’ eligibility for tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), education, and childcare credits, ensuring they receive the maximum refund entitled to them.

Overall, the United Way VITA program continues to serve and support individuals and families, making a tangible difference in their financial well-being and contributing to the resilience of our local community.

For those who still need to file their 2023 tax return, United Way has seven year-round VITA sites located in Estero-San Carlos, LaBelle, Lehigh Acres, Fort Myers, Clewiston, Immokalee, and Port Charlotte. For those who cannot get to an in-person site, United Way has a 100% virtual team waiting to assist at GetYourRefund.org/uwlee. These year-round sites can also help with filing previous years’ returns, amendments, or help with understanding letters from the IRS. VITA sites operate by appointment only, please call 239.433.3900 to schedule an appointment. Those who prefer to file independently can do so free of charge at MyFreeTaxes.com if their total household income is under $66,000.

United Way VITA program will begin to recruit volunteers to serve as tax preparers, greeters, and interpreters for the 2024 tax season over the next few months. Volunteers will complete free classroom and online tax preparation training and certification using the TaxSlayer software. To join the VITA team, visit unitedwaylee.org/become-vita-volunteer.

United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people in our community. This is accomplished through fundraising, fund distribution, community building, volunteer advancement, information, and referrals. For more information, please call United Way at 239.433.2000 or visit UnitedWayLee.org.