Free Tax Return Prep Program Needs Volunteers | News

The Cooperative Ministry’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax
help to families with a household income of less than $50,000. IRS-certified volunteers provide
free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in local
communities.
In partnership with United Way of the Midlands, The Cooperative Ministry offers tax assistance
sites every year in Richland, Lexington, Fairfield and Newberry counties.
You don’t have to be a business major to volunteer with VITA. People from all walks of life
have helped others through this program. The Cooperative Ministry will help you obtain IRS
Certification. One young lady who received free help through VITA in the past is
volunteering this year.
This year’s kick off will take place February 2nd from 10am-2pm at The Cecil Tillis Center
located at 2111 Simpkins Lane in Columbia. 150 volunteers have signed up to help so far, but
we could use more people to ensure we can meet the need in local communities.
The free income tax preparation is available to ensure hardworking families take advantage of all
Earned Income and Child Tax Credits, leading to larger refunds and nearly immediate extra cash.
VITA Director Ron King has been heading the program since it started 5 years ago. “Over that
time thanks to the help of some wonderful volunteers, we’ve processed more than 8-thousand
tax returns totaling more than 10 Million Dollars in refunds and tax credits in the Midlands.