VITA HELPS FIRST-TIME CLIENT FILE WITH CONFIDENCE
Justin Lee still remembers the feeling of walking out of the VITA site in Arlington.
“The first thing I did was call my mom,” he said. “I was like, ‘My taxes are done. They’re filed. I’m done!’”
For Justin, that moment was more than checking off a yearly task. It was a weight lifted.
UWTC’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, known as VITA, offers free tax preparation for individuals and families with household incomes of $69,000 or less. IRS-certified volunteers help file returns accurately, make sure clients claim credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, and provide peace of mind during tax season at no cost.
A Stressor Finally Settled
Justin visited the Shadow Brook location in Arlington for his first-ever VITA appointment. He heard about the program through a friend and was looking for a trusted tax preparation option.
From the moment he arrived at the VITA site, he felt at ease.
“The people there were just amazing, from start to finish,” said Justin.
Justin lost his vision unexpectedly last year. Since then, navigating everyday tasks has been an adjustment. At VITA, he did not have to worry.
“As a blind person, accessibility is always at the forefront of my mind,” he said. “They made it wonderful.”
Volunteers helped him with paperwork and adjusted the process to make him more comfortable. Justin never felt rushed or overlooked.
He also never felt alone in the process. VITA volunteers walked him through each step, helping him work through multiple years of tax filings.
“I didn’t know how much paperwork actually went into filing taxes,” he said. “She [the tax preparer] completed four years for me. That’s a lot of work.”
It was not just about getting the forms done, however. It was about understanding them.
“She explained what the Earned Income Tax Credit is, how it works, if I qualify,” Justin said. “She even told me about credits related to my blindness that I didn’t know existed.”
That knowledge changed how he perceives tax season going forward. Instead of confusion and doubt, he left with clarity.
After each return is prepared at VITA, a second VITA volunteer reviews it for accuracy. That built in verification gave Justin even more confidence.
“That double security is so mind freeing and stress free,” he said. “You feel very good walking out of there.”
A Connection That Meant Something
Before his appointment, Justin reached out directly to VITA Program Manager Pennie Clayton, to learn more. She made sure he felt ready. “You could tell she genuinely wanted to help.”
Justin considered other services before deciding where to file, but after speaking with Pennie, he made his choice confidently.
“The level of customer service, even after my appointment, has just been amazing,” he said. “Everybody is so welcoming and so friendly. You can tell they have a heart to help people.”
Giving Back to Those Who Helped Him
To help as may clients as possible before Spring Break, UWTC will be holding VITAthon, a tax preparation marathon and community resource fair, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., March 7, in the Student Center at Tarrant County College (TCC) South.
When Justin heard about VITAthon, he immediately wanted to get involved and plans participate in the community resource fair.
“I genuinely believe in giving back to those who give back to you,” he said. “When you’re in a unique opportunity to do that, you have to.”
That mindset aligns closely with what he experienced through VITA, neighbors helping neighbors and people using their knowledge to make life a little easier for someone else.
Don’t Hesitate, Just Go
For anyone considering scheduling a VITA appointment, Justin has one piece of advice.
“Just go there. They will help you,” he said. “Even if you don’t know what you’re doing, which most of us don’t when it comes to taxes, they’ll tell you what you need.”
For Justin, filing his taxes was once a major source of stress. Now, it is a reminder that support is out there, and he has a community behind him.
To learn more about VITA, find a VITA site near you or schedule an appointment for a volunteer to complete your tax return, visit www.unitedwaytarrant.org/taxes.