Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program Returns Dollars to Community
WATERBURY, CT – United Way of Greater Waterbury announced that certified preparers at 11 Greater Waterbury sites helped families who generally earn less than $68,000 per year to recover $1,281,319 in federal refunds thanks to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Coalition and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This coalition includes Advancing CT Together, in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service, United Way of Greater Waterbury and United Way of Naugatuck & Beacon Falls. Wells Fargo Foundation also generously supports the VITA Program in Greater Waterbury.
The program helps workers feel confident that their returns are filed accurately as it increases economic viability in Greater Waterbury because workers are better able to pay their bills with those refunds.
This year, 56 volunteers spent their free time in training sessions to obtain the certifications they needed to accurately prepare 1,016 returns.
This year’s average refund was $1,261. Each household saved an estimated $300 in tax preparation fees or $304,800 total. In addition, the households were able to access $402,353 in Earned Income Tax Credits.
(VITA Coalition at 2025 Media Launch Event)
“There are so many benefits that come from the VITA program,” Kristen Jacoby, MPH, president and chief professional officer of the United Way of Greater Waterbury said. “Not only can taxpayers access the refunds they are owed, they are also able to speak confidentially with someone who is trained to answer questions or spot mistakes in a previous year’s return. One taxpayer had been overpaying because he didn’t understand how to apply deductions. A simple correction meant he could share his refund with his daughter so she could fulfill her dream of attending nursing school, changing her life and putting a smile of pride on his face.”
Ms. Jacoby went on to note that creditors benefit when taxpayers meet their financial obligations, such as rent, and children learn better when there is enough nutritious food on the table. “The people who visit a VITA site are, by definition, working hard and deserve to use what they’ve earned to buy the medicine they need to be healthy, pay the utilities that keep them warm in the winter, and put gas in the tank to return to work. No one should have to choose between food or rent; VITA services help many households access the tax credits that that lead to refunds, enabling them to meet those basic needs.”
Takima Robinson, Chief Program Officer at Advancing CT Together, has been involved with the VITA program for over 16 years. “Each year, I’m inspired by the stories of individuals whose lives are positively impacted by the VITA program. VITA provides more than just free tax preparation - it empowers taxpayers to maximize their refunds by ensuring they receive all eligible credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and others. I feel privileged to witness the smiles of those who leave our sites with confidence, knowing their tax returns were prepared by IRS-trained and certified volunteers. I’m humbled by the dedication of our volunteers, who give up their free time to complete certification and then selflessly prepare return after return throughout the season. And I’m thrilled by the numbers we’re releasing—they validate what I’ve always known in my heart: VITA is vital.”
More information about VITA and other programs that provide resources that can make a positive difference are available by calling United Way’s 211, where trained operators will respond in multiple languages, on a 24/7, confidential basis. The website 211.org also provides answers.