United Way of Northern Arizona Changes for VITA program

As the United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) grows in its commitment to Step Up for Our Youth, it’s important to ensure that the work we do aligns with our three core areas of focus: early childhood development, positive youth development, and supporting families in need.

With that in mind, we’ve been working diligently to transition the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant program to trusted partners so that thousands of local tax filers who have relied on VITA services in the past will continue to have access to them.

We are pleased to announce that United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona (UWTSA) and Northland Free Tax Assistance (NFTA) will be coordinating efforts to provide VITA services this year in our region. We are grateful to these two organizations for continuing our work so that northern Arizonans will keep receiving the tax refunds and credits they are entitled to.

Most of this work will be done online, using the GetYourRefund.org site. IRS-certified volunteers will call clients initially to ensure they have all the information needed and then once again at the end of the process to review the completed tax documents before filing. If clients are unable to use online services, NFTA will accept a limited number of dropped off tax returns for processing.

If you are a VITA volunteer, we hope that you will consider reaching out to these organizations to offer them your time and expertise.

UWTSA needs volunteers to serve as tax preparers, team support specialists, quality reviewers, assister and interpreters. There will be remote orientation meetings via Zoom on the 2021 tax season and using the GetYourRefund site. Please click here for more information.

Meanwhile, NFTA needs preparers at all levels and may need screeners as well. To volunteer, please contact NFTA through their website here, by emailing them, or by calling (928) 221-4977.

Thanks to all of you as we make this transition with our partners and for continuing to Live United.