With her children in tow, Dahemia Douet lined up with dozens of others at the Hartford library Saturday to get her taxes prepared by the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program or VITA.
The volunteer organization sets up across the state during tax season to help those making under $54,000 per year file for free by appointment. Saturday, they accepted walk-ins for their VITA Dollars and Sense Day.
“I paid the year before but once I discovered Vita I decided I’m not gonna pay again, why should I,” said Douet. “It’s very important. It saves us money where we could spend on groceries.”
The program is sponsored by the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. Laura O’Keefe, the financial stability director for the Village for Families and Children, a key partner in the program, said she hopes to do more than just save families money.
“Help them to understand what their tax return is really about,” said O’Keefe. “It’s also an opportunity to help people think about their finances in a broader sense.”
The program helped more than 12,000 people in central and northeast Connecticut get back about $28 million in refunds last year alone.
“You know, those without the internet and knowledge of a computer, you know you need places like this for people to go to,” said Dawn Rioux.
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The Hartford resident said she usually files on her own, filling out the paperwork by hand, but technology has taken over the tax business.
“Tax preparation is somewhat complicated, a little intimidating, so we’re able to help with that,” added O’Keefe.
VITA volunteers will continue to provide the free tax filing service through April 17, in the hopes of helping people move ahead and build a solid financial future.
Find the full list of locations here. To make an appointment, dial 211.
