VITA, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance initiative, says it served nearly 9,000 Lancaster County taxpayers during the 2023 tax season.
VITA in 2023
- Total returns: 8,881
- Tax preparation fees saved: $2,424,513
- Refunds: $8,989,991
- Average refund: $1,012
Source: United Way of Lancaster County
According to the local program’s final tallies, it prepared 8,881 returns by this year’s April 18 filing deadline, up 4.6% over 2022. One office, at the Ephrata Public Library, completed 2,464 returns, the most of any VITA site in Pennsylvania.
VITA saved Lancaster County clients $2.4 million in tax preparation fees and secured just under $9 million in tax refunds.
That latter figure is down about 12% from the $10.2 million in refunds secured in 2022. VITA knew 2023’s refunds would be lower due to tax law changes, Director Kim Maldonado said.
Clients notched $985,326 in federal child tax credits, up 768% from 2022.
A full 69% of VITA’s 2022 clients returned for 2023. They were served by 170 IRS-certified volunteers who, along with site coordinators and greeters, contributed more than 12,000 hours of volunteer service over the 3 1/2-month tax season.
VITA is a program of United Way of Lancaster County that provides free tax preparation to Lancaster County residents who make $60,000 or less. In 2023, 50% of of its clients made no more than $20,000.
Between now and the 2024 tax season, it is offering select services by appointment at United Way’s office, 1910 Harrington Drive, Lancaster. To set up a session, call 211.
