For several years, the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has offered free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals in the Thomasville area. This past tax season, 391 families or individuals were served by VITA. These families and individuals received a combined total of over $500,000 in state and federal tax refunds. The refunds generated an economic impact of over $3,500,000 for the Thomas County area.   

Nationally, the VITA program has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax preparation help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:

• Low to moderate income families with a household income of $50,000 or less

• Persons with disabilities

• Limited English-speaking taxpayers

• Seniors

In Thomas County, VITA is a collaborative effort of the federal government, the Thomas County Public Library, education, the private sector, community organizations and everyday citizens. Specifically, the people who made the VITA program successful this year were Al Bryan, Tom Diemer (IRS), Perida Mitchell (Thomas County Public Library System), Ashleigh Childs, (University of Georgia), Kellie Merch (Envision Credit Union), Scott Rich and Terry Rouse (Rotary), Bill and Ruth Fuller, Gina Wise and Mick Bright.

There are three types of volunteers that make VITA successful. They are Intake Counselors, Return Prepares and Quality Reviewers. All volunteers must pass an ethics test. Return prepares and quality reviewers must pass an ethics test, and an advanced tax preparation test. Tests are graded by the IRS and certification is issued to each person who successfully completes the course work and passes the tests with a grade of 80% or greater.

This year, the three VITA Thomas County sites were Envision’s Liberty Street branch, UGA’s extension office on Smith Avenue and the Thomas County Public Library on Madison Street.

While the IRS manages the VITA program, the VITA sites are operated by IRS partners and staffed by volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations.