United Way Southwest Louisiana Kicks Off Free Tax Assistance Program
Now Accepting Appointments for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Lake Charles, LA— United Way Southwest Louisiana is thrilled to announce that appointments are now open for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers free tax preparation services to eligible individuals and families in the region. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 211 or visiting our website at unitedwayswla.org/vita. Clients can choose between in-person tax preparation or a convenient drop-off service based on location.
VITA is designed to assist low-to-moderate-income earners, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and residents with limited English proficiency. This essential program enables those who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to receive tax assistance from IRS-certified volunteers at no cost.
Denise Durel, president and CEO of United Way Southwest Louisiana, expressed her enthusiasm for the program: "Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our community, our VITA program made a significant impact during the 2024 tax season. We experienced an 8% increase in the number of tax returns prepared compared to 2023, leading to a 6% increase in federal refunds. Since 2020, VITA has had a total economic impact of $22,572,71 on our community."
Clients can call 211 to schedule an in-person appointment. We have nine available VITA sites across the five-parish Southwest Louisiana region, with current location details accessible online at unitedwayswla.org/vita or by calling 211.
Durel further emphasized the program's importance, noting, "Many families eligible for the EITC and similar credits do not take full advantage of the benefits available to them. Our dedicated volunteers strive to ensure everyone receives the support they deserve, helping them avoid high preparation costs and unnecessary loans."
Those who prefer to prepare their taxes without visiting a site can access the MYFREETAXES link at unitedwayswla.org/vita.
United Way Southwest Louisiana is also actively recruiting volunteers for the VITA program. Individuals interested in becoming IRS-certified volunteers and assisting with various roles can learn more by visiting https://unitedwayswla.org/vitavolunteer.
Organizations, businesses, or agencies interested in hosting a VITA site are encouraged to contact United Way Southwest Louisiana at 337.433.1088 ext. 210.