United Way

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

United Way of Kern County has run many resourceful programs throughout the years in order to help the community. One of them being the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. This program falls under the United Way of Kern County financial stability department which is a free income tax assistance program that has granted low-income families and single individuals the option of not having to pay for such an expensive service, while still receiving quality work.

Thanks to the help of multiple local partners and our amazingly dedicated volunteers we have been able to not only provide this free service but also bring money, that is much needed, back into our community. During the 2021 tax year, we were able to file over 1,600 tax returns and bring back right under 2.7 million dollars in tax refunds to the community! Our goal is to keep these numbers growing, but in order to do that, we need the help of volunteers.

By becoming a VITA volunteer, not only will you learn about tax laws, but you will develop and discover new skills, meet new people and even make great connections within the kern community. If you are someone looking for a volunteer opportunity where you want to make a change, come out and join us and become a part of the amazing VITA team.

United Way VITA Operations for 2022

SCHEDULE ONLINE HERE

 Site

 Address

 Link to Book

 Arvin FRC  300 Franklin St., Arvin 93203  https://go.oncehub.com/ArvinFRC
 Boys and Girls Club  801 Niles St Bakersfield 93305  https://go.oncehub.com/BGCBakersfield
 Child Support  3701 N Sillect Ave, Bakersfield 93308  https://go.oncehub.com/ChildSupportServices
 Delano  1401 Garces Hwy, Delano 93215  https://go.oncehub.com/DelanoAdventist
 East High School  2200 Quincy St, Bakersfield 93306  https://go.oncehub.com/EastHighSchool
 Greenfield  5400 Monitor St, Bakersfield 93307  Ahttps://go.oncehub.com/GreenfieldFRC
 La Preciosa Market  538 Finley Dr, Taft, CA 93268 https://go.oncehub.com/LaPreciosaMarket
 Lamont  10300 San Diego St, Lamont 93241  https://go.oncehub.com/DavidCommunityCenter
 Lost Hills  14848 Lamberson Avenue, Lost Hills 93249 https://go.oncehub.com/LostHillsFRC
 McFarland  103 W Sherwood Ave, McFarland 93250 https://go.oncehub.com/McFarlandVetCenter
 Ridgecrest  134 S China Blvd Ridgecrest, 93555  https://go.oncehub.com/WCHighDesert
 South High School  1101 Planz Road, Bakersfield 93304  https://go.oncehub.com/SouthHighSchool
 St Johns  1401 E Brundage Ln, Bakersfield 93307  https://go.oncehub.com/StJohns
 Strata Credit Union  1535 Panama Lane, Bakersfield 93307  https://go.oncehub.com/StrataCreditUnion
 UEI  3737 Rosedale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93308  https://go.oncehub.com/UEICollege
 United Way  1707 Eye Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301  https://go.oncehub.com/UnitedWayofKern
 Vineland  14327 S Vineland Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93307 https://go.oncehub.com/VinelandSchoolDistrict
 Foothill High School  501 Park Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93306  https://go.oncehub.com/FoothillHS
 Govea Gardens Apartments  1054 Washington St, Bakersfield, CA 93307 https://go.oncehub.com/govea
 Shafter Casa Amelia Cadena Apartments  455 E Ash St, Shafter, 93263  https://go.oncehub.com/CasaAmelia

Or, File Your Taxes for Free Online

United Way can also help you file your taxes for free, online.

For eligibility information, information on the tax credits you qualify for, and an easy-to-follow process, go myfreetaxes.org.

 

What do I Bring?

· Government issued ID (Driver’s license, passport, picture ID card)

· Social Security Cards or ITIN numbers for every member claimed

· All sources of income (W-2’s, 1099’s, Unemployment, SSI, Retirement, other income, etc.)

· If self-employed: total records of income and expenses

· Proof of medical insurance (1095-A is required)

· Any Educational Expenses for college students only (1098-T, 1098-E)

· Child Care Expenses (Wages paid, tax ID, address)

· Bank account information for Direct Deposit Refunds (Routing and Account Number)

· Previous year tax return

MAKE TAX TIME A BUDGET BOOSTER

For thousands of households across our region, accessing the right resources during tax season is critical in obtaining a full tax refund. The simple truth is that when taxes are done right, the result could mean valuable tax credits and refunds that go a long way in a family’s annual budget.

According to the IRS, approximately 20% of residents do not claim one of the biggest boosters to family incomes - the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a refundable credit that can amount to as much as $6,143 per qualifying family- simply because they are unaware of their eligibility, or do not file their taxes.

If you earned less than $60,000 in the previous year, you may qualify for the EITC and you can have your taxes prepared for free from the Kern VITA Partnership.

And as of January 2016, the CalEITC provides additional resources to the working families in our community who most need it.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CalEITC!

Want to know if you qualify for the CalEITC Tax Credit? Just simply text the key word #EarnItKC to 211-211 and receive instant responses to find how much you qualify for.

Text messages are also answered in Spanish! Remember its YOUR money. Earn it! Keep it! Save it!

How Do I Access VITA?

Call for more information:

661-834-1820

Cal EITC Resources

How Do I Volunteer?

Volunteers are needed to serve as tax preparers, greeters, and translators for the 2021 tax season. No experience is necessary and FREE training will be provided. Training begins in November. To get more information or register to volunteer please contact Jane at Jane.V@uwkern.org or call (661) 834-2734.

United Way is now accepting VITA document drop-offs at our local United Way office

Click on the flyer below to print a flyer for your organization. For more information, please call us at (661) 834-1820

Our Focus

Early Childhood Literacy

Financial Stability

Health

GET INVOLVED
We are all part of this community and together we can make it succeed. At United Way of Kern County we believe that UNITED we can make change happen... one day at a time.