JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — As tax season rolls around, many local residents face the daunting task of navigating the often complex and confusing world of tax filing. However, for those with limited income, a nationwide program is providing valuable assistance to ensure they don’t have to face the stress of tax season alone.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation services to individuals and families with an annual income of $67,000 or less. In Jackson County, the program is managed by United Way, in collaboration with the Teresa McCormick Center, and it aims to provide low-income taxpayers with the support they need to maximize their refunds and minimize errors.
Anna Barnsley Werblow, the Chief Financial Officer of United Way and the lead of the VITA program, shared that many people feel overwhelmed by taxes due to misunderstandings and the fear of dealing with the IRS. “So many people fear the IRS and fear taxes because there is so much misunderstanding,” she said. “The program aims to calm those fears and help community members who need it most.”
Each year, the VITA program assists hundreds of residents in Jackson County, helping to deliver over half a million dollars in tax refunds to eligible taxpayers. In fact, the average household income of those assisted last year was approximately $27,000, with many participants receiving refunds that can make a significant impact on their financial well-being.
“The fear of having to owe a lot of money is real for people,” Barnsley Werblow explained. “So to be able to come in and go, ‘Hey, let me hold your hand through this. And look, oh, you’re going to get a $900 refund,’ that’s a lot of money. Especially if you’re making on average $20,000 a year. A $900 deposit into your bank account is pretty awesome.”
The VITA program is primarily staffed by volunteers, many of whom return year after year to continue assisting their neighbors. Jason Lukaszewicz, a repeat volunteer with the program, emphasized the satisfaction of knowing his work has a direct, positive impact on the lives of local residents. “It’s the ability to make a difference for people, to help out people. Taxes are very complex and very confusing for a lot of folks,” Lukaszewicz said.
The VITA program operates from February to April each year and is available by appointment only. For more information or to schedule an appointment, residents are encouraged to contact the program directly.
In a time when taxes can be an overwhelming and anxiety-inducing experience, the VITA program stands as a lifeline for those in need, offering not just tax assistance, but also the reassurance that they don’t have to navigate tax season alone.