VITA has big impact on Cannon-Rutherford Counties

During United Way's 2016 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, more than 40 volunteer preparers completed 885 tax returns resulting in a $1,219,228 investment through tax refunds in Rutherford and Cannon counties. Through combined efforts with My Free Taxes, a free online filing service, the number of returns increased over last year by nearly 20%.

The United Way VITA program is an IRS-supported tax preparation service, through which trained volunteers prepare taxes at no cost for qualifying individuals and families. This year, with the support of local community partners, United Way expanded the VITA program by adding a site location in Smyrna to provide more individuals and families with resources and options to improve their financial stability to reinvest back in Rutherford and Cannon counties.

Randy Allen, Director of Community Impact for United Way, said, "United Way's VITA partnership supports financial stability by allowing tax payers to keep the full amount of their return. In most cases, tax payers reinvest those dollars back into their community through increased savings, bill pay and purchases in their community. We are thankful for the partners who helped make the 2016 VITA Program a success."

Local community partners of this year's VITA program included Patterson Park Community Center, City of Murfreesboro, Town of Smyrna, Fifth Third Bank, Linebaugh Public Library and Smyrna Library.

For more information regarding the VITA program, visit www.yourlocaluw.org or call (615) 893-7303.