United Way's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program 
Spring Hill, FL – (April 20, 2016) – On April 20th, United Way of Hernando County hosted a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Thank You Luncheon for their dedicated Volunteers and Partners. At that time, results were announced and the impact VITA had on the community this year resulted in over 1,000 tax preparations being completed free of charge!
Thanks to Hernando's 18 devoted VITA volunteers, a grand total of 1,006 community members were assisted through Hernando's free tax preparation service. The VITA Production Report showed $947,418 in total refund amounts and a total of $280,199 in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC). With tax returns costing residents as high as $250 on average to file, VITA resulted in more than $251,500 saved for low-to-moderate income families. Those are dollars that can cover childcare expenses and transportation costs, paying bills, purchasing household necessities, as well as saving for the future. What a huge impact on our economy.
A special thank you to all VITA Volunteers, Partners and Tax Prep Sites, including the Hernando County Public Library in Spring Hill, CareerSource, Mid FL Community Services-RSVP, Publix at Hernando West, Publix at Barclay, Pasco Hernando State College, Suncoast Credit Union.
Although Hernando VITA Sites are now closed, you can still have your taxes completed for FREE by visiting www.MyFreeTaxes.com.
If you are interested in volunteering and joining our VITA family for the 2017 Tax Season, fill out a Volunteer Hernando application at www.UnitedWayHernando.org/Volunteer-Hernando
All VITA Volunteers are trained and certified by the IRS,
and proudly support financial stability here in Hernando County.
2016 results were shared on April 20th as the VITA Volunteers, Community Partners and United Way Team enjoyed a delicious meal at Kally K's Steakery & Fishery for their Annual Volunteer Thank You Luncheon.
Top Row (Left to Right): Angela Bonfardino, United Way Executive Director; Caren Castle, RSVP; Adriane Alexander, IRS; Christine Reining, RSVP; Kate Manuelian, Charles Bowman, Kathy Oglesby, Jerry Childress, Patricia Rushing, CareerSource; Francis Stanton, Gina Wharton and Chael Hanley, United Way Board of Directors.
Bottom Row (Left to Right): Charlena Millhouse, Cecile Bryan, Steve Jardine, Tracie Rusch, Helen Wheat, and Janette McElwain, Suncoast Credit Union. (Not pictured: Robert Kelly, Val Stratton, Christopher Grech, Cindy Dorio, Carol Colombo, Barbara Schultz, Karen Krolak)