Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Left to Right: Bethany Richardson, United Way; TaTyana Abreu, United Way; Kris Pollick, Club President
to view meeting: https://youtu.be/WgjSjglNZpQ
Members of the York East Rotary Club got a helpful look at how small actions can make a big financial difference for local families when TaTyana Abreu from United Way of York County spoke at the club’s weekly breakfast meeting. TaTyana shared details about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, a free service designed to help eligible individuals and families prepare and file their tax returns. The program focuses on households with low to moderate incomes, seniors, and individuals with disabilities — people who may otherwise pay high fees for tax preparation or miss out on valuable credits.
She emphasized that many households qualify for important tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit, which can mean thousands of dollars back in refunds. For many working families, that refund helps cover essentials like rent, utilities, childcare, and car repairs. It can also provide a chance to start saving or pay down debt.
What makes VITA special, TaTyana said, is the power of volunteers. IRS-certified community volunteers are trained to prepare accurate returns at no cost. This ensures families receive safe, reliable assistance while avoiding predatory services and high fees.
Rotary members learned how they can help spread the word so eligible residents know this service exists. Community awareness is key, TaTyana noted, because millions of dollars in tax credits go unclaimed each year simply because people don’t realize they qualify.
TaTyana’s presentation served as a reminder that sometimes the most powerful way to help a neighbor is by making sure they get access to the resources they’ve already earned.