The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation services for individuals who live in Hancock County and whose household income is $60,000 or less annually. Priority is given to those over age 60; individuals who speak English as a secondary language; and adults who have disabilities.
For the 2023 season, United Way partnered with 50 North and the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library to offer the free tax preparation service at their sites. Nearly 1,500 state and federal tax returns were filed by a team of 18 trained VITA volunteers, with $1 million returned to the local economy through tax refunds and earned income credits.
The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation provided a grant for partial support of the VITA program.
United Way of Hancock County intends to maintain the VITA program indefinitely and expand its reach through the addition of local and federal grants.