“This service has just been amazing for me. Because I was on disability, I wasn’t sure if I needed to file my taxes. I didn’t know I was missing out on tax credits like the Child Tax Credit. Instead of paying, I was able to get my taxes done for free. Being able to provide a bit more at Christmastime when my kids ask for new shoes or getting that dress for prom, is really amazing. I hope more people reap the benefits from this free tax service”.

“This was not the year I was going to want to pay someone to do it for me…every dollar meant something.”

“Coming to the United States from Peru was a real challenge. I had very little family or support system here to help me navigate things like housing, employment, or my education, much less filing my taxes. To qualify for financial aid for school, I had to file my taxes for the first time ever. The VITA program helped me through the process completely free of charge. Thanks to this program, I was able to complete my taxes accurately and on time and established my first ever savings with the refund I received.”

“I first found out about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program while attending Cal Lutheran University. Years later, after working in private accounting and looking for an opportunity to give back to the community, I reached out to the program and started volunteering. I am now a second year volunteer. Hearing how grateful people are for the program, and how helpful it is especially for those that are in hard spots in their life, is why I come back”.