{"id":5350,"date":"2024-08-27T13:44:32","date_gmt":"2024-08-27T13:44:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/?page_id=5350"},"modified":"2024-11-07T21:08:42","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T21:08:42","slug":"volunteer-income-tax-assistant-vita","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/?page_id=5350","title":{"rendered":"Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"5350\" class=\"elementor elementor-5350\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9af10c6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"9af10c6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c7eceff\" data-id=\"c7eceff\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cc1178 elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-absolute elementor-widget elementor-widget-tm-icon\" data-id=\"9cc1178\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_position&quot;:&quot;absolute&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"tm-icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tm-icon\">\t\t\t\t<div class=\"unicamp-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"unicamp-icon-view first\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"unicamp-icon-view-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"unicamp-icon icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef392b6 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-tm-heading\" data-id=\"ef392b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;unicampFadeInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"tm-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tm-modern-heading\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"heading-primary-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"heading-primary elementor-heading-title\">\nwhat is vita?<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddf18f5 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-tm-heading\" data-id=\"ddf18f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;unicampFadeInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"tm-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tm-modern-heading\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"heading-primary-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"heading-primary elementor-heading-title\">A network that helps the community<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fc89a19\" data-id=\"fc89a19\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7778f2 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-tm-heading\" data-id=\"f7778f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;unicampFadeInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"tm-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tm-modern-heading\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"heading-primary-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"heading-primary elementor-heading-title\"><p class=\"MsoNormal\">The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is a network that helps the community meet their civic obligations as taxpayers, and supports them on the path to financial security and opportunity. In 2014 alone, VITA returned more than <b>$2.2 billion <\/b>to tax filers. VITA is a crucial asset for people making approximately $54,000 or less, individuals with disabilities, and those who speak limited English.<\/p>Created in 1969 to provide free tax preparation for low- to moderate - income individuals and families, VITA has successfully allowed program recipients to maximize their tax credits, avoid unnecessary fees, and increase their financial stability.<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1df909f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"1df909f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-aefe4cc\" data-id=\"aefe4cc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1af2070 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"1af2070\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.12.1 - 02-04-2023 *\/\n.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}.e-con{--container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(--container-widget-width,var(--spacer-size));--align-self:var(--container-widget-align-self,initial);--flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--container-widget-height,var(--spacer-size))}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d18cbbf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"d18cbbf\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-acaaf77\" data-id=\"acaaf77\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de1f45f elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"de1f45f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.12.1 - 02-04-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/smiling-african-american-teacher-looking-and-takin-2023-11-27-05-14-24-utc.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5363\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4c17eb7\" data-id=\"4c17eb7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce10d05 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ce10d05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/broker-expert-highlighting-important-terms-from-th-2024-07-15-18-59-03-utc.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5364\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-60de0fb\" data-id=\"60de0fb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce930a3 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ce930a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/happy-diverse-female-colleagues-in-discussion-usin-2023-11-27-05-06-50-utc.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5365\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f3aaf3c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"f3aaf3c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2069680\" data-id=\"2069680\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8c961f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f8c961f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b30a230 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b30a230\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.12.1 - 02-04-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Below is a summary of the following brief, highlighting key points and recommendations for states and advocates.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-997d55d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"997d55d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4c8acb4\" data-id=\"4c8acb4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17ec640 elementor-widget elementor-widget-tm-table\" data-id=\"17ec640\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"tm-table.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tm-table style-01\">\n\t\t\t<table>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<thead>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<th>VITA helps states by<br><u>bringing in more tax revenue<\/u> and:<\/th>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<th>VITA faces the following challenges:<\/th>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<th>States can support the program by:<\/th>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<th>Advocates should:<\/th><\/tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/thead>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tbody>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Increasing tax compliance across the state;<br>\nPromoting accuracy, which eans fewer disputes to resolve;<br>\nSaving money for low-income families; and<br>\nStrengthening the local community and civic engagement\n<\/td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Filing taxes is increasingly complex and year-long; <br>\nService providers cannot meet demand without more funding; and <br>\nOrganizational capacity is outstretched<\/td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Building organizational capacity;<br>\nProviding direct funding; <br>\nFacilitating VITA services and trainings; and\n<br>\nAdvertising VITA services in materials distributed to other government program beneficiaries<\/td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Identify viable funds that offer the most flexibility;<br>\nBe cognizant of potential backlash while pursuing new funding streams; <br>\nExplore low-cost alternatives for state support; and<br>\nRethink framing to align with state priorities and broaden VITA's tent of supporters<\/td><\/tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tbody>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/table>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-149c322 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"149c322\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1c62ff0\" data-id=\"1c62ff0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b043f66 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b043f66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.12.1 - 02-04-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">VITA Also Helps The States<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2e9737d\" data-id=\"2e9737d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0bcb223 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0bcb223\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What States Can Do To Support VITA<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a60cece elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"a60cece\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a58e65f\" data-id=\"a58e65f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1646ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d1646ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f608ca0 unicamp-accordion-style-01 elementor-widget elementor-widget-tm-accordion\" data-id=\"f608ca0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"tm-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"unicamp-accordion unicamp-accordion-icon-right\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"accordion-title\">Incrasing Tax Compliance Across the State:<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-icons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon opened-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon closed-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To begin with, VITA provides tax filers an accessible, affordable path towards federal, and often, state tax compliance. This is especially true for earners who cannot afford traditional tax preparation services and may have opted out of filing taxes altogether were it not been for free services.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"accordion-title\">Promoting Accuracy, Which Means Fewer Disputes to Resolve:<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-icons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon opened-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon closed-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The accuracy rate for tax returns filed at VITA sites is consistently higher than paid tax preparation alternatives.<strong>\u00a0In fact, accuracy has been steadily increasing over the years, from 85% in 2009 to 94% in 2015<\/strong>, despite stagnant funding and increased demand for VITA services.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"accordion-title\">Saving Money For Low-Income Families:<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-icons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon opened-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon closed-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The program saves low-income tax filers money on tax preparation fees, which means that they have more to spend in their local communities and consequently, more spent on state sales taxes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"accordion-title\">Strengthening the Local Community and Civic Engagement:<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-icons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon opened-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon closed-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>VITA&#8217;s value to volunteers, as well as to beneficiaries, cannot be overstated. Studies about VITA volunteers demonstrate that participation in VITA promotes higher levels of modification, increased multicultural sensitivity, enhanced communication skills, and deeper understanding of accounting and business theory.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-549c4cc\" data-id=\"549c4cc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5da61b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"5da61b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d1a183 unicamp-accordion-style-01 elementor-widget elementor-widget-tm-accordion\" data-id=\"8d1a183\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"tm-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"unicamp-accordion unicamp-accordion-icon-right\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"accordion-title\">Build Organizational Capacity:<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-icons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon opened-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon closed-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>States can support VITA by providing more volunteers, easing paperwork and promoting VITA services. For example, many states have State Service Commissions entrusted to manage federal national service grants and the Commissions can ensure that free tax assistance is included when determining social needs and program priorities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"accordion-title\">Provide Direct Funding:<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-icons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon opened-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon closed-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Of course, one of the most significant forms of support that states can provide to VITA is direct funding. VITA services should be an allowable use of block grant dollars, specifically through the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"accordion-title\">Facilitate VITA Services &amp; Trainings:<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-icons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon opened-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon closed-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>States can support VITA through lower-cost measures such as training volunteers to complete tax returns, ensuring that any changes to electronic tax forms are completed as early as possible, and creating a direct line of contact between VITA sites and state tax commissions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-aa12b0b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"aa12b0b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-06be507\" data-id=\"06be507\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1644dd7 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1644dd7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/diverse-group-of-business-people-working-in-creati-2023-11-27-05-33-07-utc.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5369\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cde977f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"cde977f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0252a62\" data-id=\"0252a62\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1677be elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e1677be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/modern-young-man-with-notebook-2023-11-27-05-29-24-utc.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5370\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f40b1b\" data-id=\"3f40b1b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11f4779 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"11f4779\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/portrait-of-happy-african-american-businesswoman-s-2023-11-27-04-48-56-utc.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5371\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-34861aa elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"34861aa\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-25bf4e5\" data-id=\"25bf4e5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f55d17 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9f55d17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Recommendations for Advocates<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e17b9b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"3e17b9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6b74fcd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"6b74fcd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f6d79ba\" data-id=\"f6d79ba\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0887b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e0887b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Advocates should pursue strategies that ensure the highest amounts of flexible funds while minimizing cuts to other programs that serve low-income people.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8abc36b unicamp-accordion-style-01 elementor-widget elementor-widget-tm-accordion\" data-id=\"8abc36b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"tm-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"unicamp-accordion unicamp-accordion-icon-right\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"accordion-title\">Recommendation #1: Identify Viable Funds That Offer The Most Flexibility<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-icons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon opened-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon closed-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>VITA sites require flexible funds to provide a range of services, from free tax preparation to referrals for other service providers, financial coaching, and checking eligibility for federal tax credits.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"accordion-title\">Recommendation #2: Be Cognizant Of Potential Backlash<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-icons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon opened-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon closed-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>VITA advocates need to be aware of potential allies and adversaries when pursuing new funding streams or increased support. For example, including VITA or EITC outreach as an allowable use for TANF Maintenance of Effort (MOE) dollars could help expand VITA services to communities in need, but it may also reduce funding for existing TANF-funded programs that benefit the same populations.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"accordion-title\">Recommendation #3: Explore Low-Cost Alternatives For State Support<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-icons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon opened-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon closed-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Consider advocating for alternative methods to support VITA. For instance, since many VITA clients have state tax filing needs in addition to their federal taxes, states should consider providing trainings for VITA volunteers about how to complete state returns.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"accordion-title\">Recommendation #4: Rethink Framing To Align With State Priorities And Broaden Tent Of Supporters<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-icons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon opened-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon closed-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In states with dedicated offices to coordinate volunteers, this can be another source for promoting VITA and encouraging more volunteers for sites. In recent years, many states have been shifting dollars to things like emergency preparedness programs, but advocates should consider how to reframe VITA as a service for addressing financial emergencies and promoting financial recovery.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"accordion-title\">Recommendation #5: Take The Long View<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-icons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon opened-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"accordion-icon closed-icon\"><i class=\"far fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Creating sustainable VITA programs, especially in the absence of congressional appropriation, is a long-term process. Building state support requires allies at all levels of government, from high-level leadership to on-the-ground champions who will continue to support the program even as administrators change.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-892d561 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"892d561\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b>You can find more information regarding to VITA program in this <a href=\"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Information_for_HBCU_schools.pdf\">document<\/a>.<\/b><\/p><p>Please join SPEC&#8217;s training on the FY2025 Form 1361-C, Intake\/Interview and Quality Review Sheet and Form 13614-C Job Aid for Volunteers. You can find more information on <a href=\"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/IRS_Meeting.pdf\"><strong>here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>what is vita? A network that helps the community The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is a network that helps the community meet their civic obligations as taxpayers, and supports them on the path to financial security and opportunity. In 2014 alone, VITA returned more than $2.2 billion to tax filers. VITA is a crucial asset for people making approximately $54,000 or less, individuals with disabilities, and those who speak limited English. Created in 1969 to provide free tax preparation for low- to moderate &#8211; income individuals and families, VITA has successfully allowed program recipients to maximize their tax credits, avoid unnecessary fees, and increase their financial stability. Below is a summary of the following brief, highlighting key points and recommendations for states and advocates. VITA helps states bybringing in more tax revenue and: VITA faces the following challenges: States can support the program by: Advocates should: Increasing tax compliance across the state; Promoting accuracy, which eans fewer disputes to resolve; Saving money for low-income families; and Strengthening the local community and civic engagement Filing taxes is increasingly complex and year-long; Service providers cannot meet demand without more funding; and Organizational capacity is outstretched Building organizational capacity; Providing direct funding; Facilitating VITA services and trainings; and Advertising VITA services in materials distributed to other government program beneficiaries Identify viable funds that offer the most flexibility; Be cognizant of potential backlash while pursuing new funding streams; Explore low-cost alternatives for state support; and Rethink framing to align with state priorities and broaden VITA&#8217;s tent of supporters VITA Also Helps The States What States Can Do To Support VITA Incrasing Tax Compliance Across the State: To begin with, VITA provides tax filers an accessible, affordable path towards federal, and often, state tax compliance. This is especially true for earners who cannot afford traditional tax preparation services and may have opted out of filing taxes altogether were it not been for free services. Promoting Accuracy, Which Means Fewer Disputes to Resolve: The accuracy rate for tax returns filed at VITA sites is consistently higher than paid tax preparation alternatives.\u00a0In fact, accuracy has been steadily increasing over the years, from 85% in 2009 to 94% in 2015, despite stagnant funding and increased demand for VITA services. Saving Money For Low-Income Families: The program saves low-income tax filers money on tax preparation fees, which means that they have more to spend in their local communities and consequently, more spent on state sales taxes. Strengthening the Local Community and Civic Engagement: VITA&#8217;s value to volunteers, as well as to beneficiaries, cannot be overstated. Studies about VITA volunteers demonstrate that participation in VITA promotes higher levels of modification, increased multicultural sensitivity, enhanced communication skills, and deeper understanding of accounting and business theory.\u00a0 Build Organizational Capacity: States can support VITA by providing more volunteers, easing paperwork and promoting VITA services. For example, many states have State Service Commissions entrusted to manage federal national service grants and the Commissions can ensure that free tax assistance is included when determining social needs and program priorities. Provide Direct Funding: Of course, one of the most significant forms of support that states can provide to VITA is direct funding. VITA services should be an allowable use of block grant dollars, specifically through the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. Facilitate VITA Services &amp; Trainings: States can support VITA through lower-cost measures such as training volunteers to complete tax returns, ensuring that any changes to electronic tax forms are completed as early as possible, and creating a direct line of contact between VITA sites and state tax commissions. Recommendations for Advocates Advocates should pursue strategies that ensure the highest amounts of flexible funds while minimizing cuts to other programs that serve low-income people. Recommendation #1: Identify Viable Funds That Offer The Most Flexibility VITA sites require flexible funds to provide a range of services, from free tax preparation to referrals for other service providers, financial coaching, and checking eligibility for federal tax credits.\u00a0 Recommendation #2: Be Cognizant Of Potential Backlash VITA advocates need to be aware of potential allies and adversaries when pursuing new funding streams or increased support. For example, including VITA or EITC outreach as an allowable use for TANF Maintenance of Effort (MOE) dollars could help expand VITA services to communities in need, but it may also reduce funding for existing TANF-funded programs that benefit the same populations. Recommendation #3: Explore Low-Cost Alternatives For State Support Consider advocating for alternative methods to support VITA. For instance, since many VITA clients have state tax filing needs in addition to their federal taxes, states should consider providing trainings for VITA volunteers about how to complete state returns. Recommendation #4: Rethink Framing To Align With State Priorities And Broaden Tent Of Supporters In states with dedicated offices to coordinate volunteers, this can be another source for promoting VITA and encouraging more volunteers for sites. In recent years, many states have been shifting dollars to things like emergency preparedness programs, but advocates should consider how to reframe VITA as a service for addressing financial emergencies and promoting financial recovery. Recommendation #5: Take The Long View Creating sustainable VITA programs, especially in the absence of congressional appropriation, is a long-term process. Building state support requires allies at all levels of government, from high-level leadership to on-the-ground champions who will continue to support the program even as administrators change. \u00a0 You can find more information regarding to VITA program in this document. Please join SPEC&#8217;s training on the FY2025 Form 1361-C, Intake\/Interview and Quality Review Sheet and Form 13614-C Job Aid for Volunteers. You can find more information on here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5350","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","post-no-thumbnail"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5350","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5350"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5350\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5400,"href":"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5350\/revisions\/5400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alhbcuconsortium.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}