About Us

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is a nationwide free income tax assistance program provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and sponsored by the Community Action Commission. It assists low-to moderate-income families (below $40,000) who qualify for refunds, such as the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits. VITA volunteers review taxpayer’s financial documents and prepare taxes using electronic filing for free. The program also provides financial literacy information and classes to educate the community in order to help with budgeting and saving money for their families and futures. It is a non-profit organization and all of our services are free of charge.

The program consists of volunteer students who are trained and certified by the IRS to work with clients hands-on. With the help of student directors and college professors, these certified students are able to reach out to their local communities and assist people in receiving the tax credits that they qualify for. VITA is continuing to grow and become nationally known as a friendly environment with people who are willing to help others in order to strengthen the community.

Our VITA program focuses on residents of the Shippensburg and Chambersburg Areas. Shippensburg University students are working to give back to the community by building up the program. Professor Hocking’s Managerial Accounting class is currently working on a volunteer class project that is in its developing stages. Her class is made up of a group of dedicated students in the college of business who are contributing their time for the community. The class has branched out into groups according to business major and reconvenes to discuss ideas as a whole. Continued commitment is anticipated upon the completion of the program. Some of Professor Hocking’s former students have become IRS certified and plan to work at the site in spring 2008. VITA enables students in the John L. Grove College of Business to actively get involved in and work beyond the classroom.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Earned Income Credit Info

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) sometimes called the Earned Income Credit (EIC), is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. Congress originally approved the tax credit legislation in 1975 in part to offset the burden of social security taxes and to provide an incentive to work. When the EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, it results in a tax refund to those who claim and qualify for the credit.

 To qualify, taxpayers must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if they did not earn enough money to be obligated to file a tax return.

The EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), food stamps, low-income housing or most Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) payments.

Information courtesy of www.irs.gov.