by: Jennifer Halberg, Director of Senior Services
Catholic Charities expands programming to include the
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program in January 2017
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) provides income-eligible individuals and families with free assistance completing and submitting tax returns. Trained volunteers help prepare federal and state tax returns for low- to moderate-income individuals. The VITA Program provides an alternative to commercial tax preparation and help families save hundreds of dollars in fees.
Qualifying taxpayers can get free help preparing their federal and state income tax returns at locations across Minnesota. The Winona VITA site uses the following guidelines for maximum income levels:
Dependents (student working but a dependent for parents) ———$25,000
Single (no dependents) —————————————————————————–$35,000
Family size 2 (married couple or single with one dependent) ——–$45,000
Family size 3 or more ——————————————————————————–$55,000
The VITA Program provides free e-filing with refunds typically available within 10 days. VITA Program volunteers are trained to help navigate the world of earned income credit, affordable health care reimbursements and property tax credits.
In 2016, 35 VITA volunteers with the Winona, Minnesota program completed 1027 tax returns which resulted in over 1 million dollars in tax refunds to low- to moderate-income community members. Led by volunteer VITA Site Coordinators Walt Carpenter and Joliene Olson, the volunteers make a both a significant commitment to the program, and a significant difference in the lives of the individuals they assist.
Carpenter was an engineer at Medtronic for many years. While doing a volunteer service project arranged by Medtronic, he ran into a co-worker who had previously retired and was volunteering at the site of the service project on a regular basis. While serving together, Carpenter recalls him commenting that he had learned of the importance of giving back to others in his retirement; which inspired Carpenter. Upon retirement, Carpenter moved to Winona, started volunteering at his church and soon expanded his volunteer service to the VITA Program. It has been 4 ½ years since Carpenter moved to Winona, and this is his 3rd year volunteering with VITA. He enjoys the community involvement it provides, “Volunteering in this way provides a great sense of satisfaction. 90% of the people we serve get refunds. They are so grateful and leave with a smile. We don’t take payment for doing the taxes but we have received some great cookies and other treats!” he commented.
Joliene Olson, who coordinates the Winona VITA Program with Carpenter, is a retired RN who worked at Winona Health for 30 years in a number of different positions and retired as Director of Nursing for Medical/Surgical/Pediatrics. She has volunteered with the tax aide program for nearly 20 years. She has seen changes throughout the years and remembers the days of doing all the work on paper; she prefers the new electronic version! Olson is quick to give credit to Walt Carroll, another long-serving volunteer, for bringing them into the “computerized age” and incorporating technology into the program. Olson appreciates the dedication and joy that those who volunteer bring to their work, “Our tax preparers are careful, thorough and conscientious. All the volunteers value the service they are providing and know that this is a very personal way to give back to those who need it.” She also echoed what Carpenter said about how grateful those they help are, “It is a blessing when the people we’ve helped are appreciative!” commented Olson.
Thirty five Winona VITA Program volunteers join Carpenter, Olson, and Carroll as they prepare for the upcoming tax season which operates from February 4 through April 12, 2017. “Of the thirty five VITA volunteers in Winona; about a dozen that do the actual tax preparation and the others handle phone calls for appointment and act as greeters,” said Carpenter.
The Winona VITA Program is located at the Live Well Winona office, who offers their space to the program at no charge. Appointments are approximately 20 minute segments, which is generally adequate for filing the electronic return. Volunteers ask that individuals arrive as prepared as possible, with receipts and paper work as well organized as possible.
The Winona VITA Program will begin scheduling appointments on January 26, 2017. Appointments can be made via phone by calling (507) 474-7202.
In Minnesota, free tax preparation services are provided in partnership with many community-based organizations. To find a local site, its hours and dates open, taxpayers should visit the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s website (http://www.revenue.state.mn.us/individuals/individ_income/Pages/Free_Tax_Preparation_Sites.aspx) or call 1-800-652-9094 or 651-296-3781 to search for a site by zip code. Note: Tax Preparation Sites open the first week of February 2016 and the search function will be updated at that time.