Trident United Way is proud to announce its designation as an official Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program sponsor with appointments beginning in early 2025. This collaboration will provide free tax filing services to qualifying residents in Berkeley, Dorchester and Charleston counties. Now in its 10th year, the VITA program helps low- and moderate-income individuals and families maximize their tax refunds and improve their financial stability.
“We understand that tax season can be a stressful and uncertain time for many families, which is why we are proud to offer this essential service,” said Angelina Williams, Director of Community Initiatives at Trident United Way. “This program helps Tri-County residents’ access free tax assistance, maximize their financial benefits which ultimately empowers them to achieve greater financial stability for the long term.”
What is VITA? The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to individuals earning $60,000 or less, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency. Supported by IRS-certified volunteers, our local VITA initiative at TUW is critical in helping community members navigate tax season stress-free.
VITA Sites and Appointment Scheduling This year, we’re offering free tax assistance across multiple sites in the tri-county area, ensuring accessibility and convenience for all. Appointments are efficiently managed through SC 211—streamlining the process and matching clients to their preferred or nearest location. See a list of locations below.
Volunteer Opportunities – Spread the Word! We’re on the lookout for dedicated individuals to fill various roles, and we’d love your help in spreading the word:
- Greeter/Intake Specialist: As the first point of contact, you’ll ensure clients are ready for their tax session, verify documents, and perform quality reviews. Certification in Intake/Interview & Quality Review is required.
- Tax Preparer: Directly assist clients with tax filings. Requires certification in Volunteer Standard of Conduct, with Basic or Advanced Tax Preparation depending on the tax forms handled.
Flexible Volunteering Options Recognizing that traditional clinic hours may not work for everyone, we offer flexible volunteering opportunities: Great option for staff wanting to get involved
- Virtual Quality Reviews: Ideal for those who prefer or need to volunteer remotely.
- After-Hours Preparation: Perfect for volunteers who are available outside of standard hours, helping to prepare returns for drop-off clients at your convenience.
Training and Certification No previous experience is needed! All volunteer training is available online, allowing you to start immediately and proceed at your own pace. We provide all necessary materials and support to help you pass the IRS certification tests needed for your role. Check out https://www.tuw.org/VITA-training
Clinics and Impact Our clinics kick off the week of February 10th, aiming to complete 2,000 tax returns over 10 weeks. Your involvement could be key to reaching this goal.
Join Us! Your skills and time can truly make a difference. Whether you choose to volunteer directly or assist in spreading the word, your contribution is invaluable. If interested, or you know someone who might be, please contact us(John and me) at tuwvita@tuw.org.
Healthy Tri-County is a
multi-sector regional initiative to improve health outcomes in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties in South Carolina.
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