PORT RICHEY, Fla. — When many of us think about filling out tax forms, we suffer from what I call “tax-iety.”
Here are just some of the comments from people on the street in New Port Richey:
- “Stressful.”
- “On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate it a 7…very painful!”
- “I cringe!”
But inside the Light of the World Tabernacle church, people are finding tax salvation. “Hallelujah!” At table after table, there are self-confessed number nerds.
“I’m a finance major and my minor was math, so I stick with what I know,” Carmen Luke said with a laugh.
Welcome to VITA (pronounced VY-tah) or the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. It’s put on by the United Way of Pasco at sites across the county. At VITA, seniors and low-income families can get free help filing their federal and state taxes.
“The other beauty of this, is the returns they receive back to go to help with rents, help with cars, utilities, purchase of cars, food--basic, essential needs," United Way CEO Chuck Anderson said.
Jennie Duckett, who’s 89, is expecting a return of $164. “Better than nothing!” she exclaims. “Better than having to pay!”
Manning the computers and calculators are trained and IRS certified volunteers. And it seems once they get involved, these tax preparers get hooked on helping.
“I enjoy it. I look forward to coming here and helping others, because I know I’m making a difference,” volunteer Debbie Garal said.
People have various reasons for seeking help through VITA. It saves them a couple hundred bucks and saves them from quite a few headaches.
“I used to do my own taxes, but the confusing part is how much you have to pay on your Social Security. It’s a nightmare! They don’t make it simple at all!” explains Joe Gossett, who has come to VITA for several years for tax prep help.
And this service isn’t only available to people in Pasco. Other United Way chapters in the Tampa Bay area also provide the VITA program.
So when it comes to filling out all of those “taxing” tax forms, you can turn to VITA. It’s a great cure for “tax-iety.”