Lancaster County’s VITA, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, announced Thursday it is raising the maximum income for taxpayers eligible for its services by $10,000, from $60,000 to $70,000.
VITA provides free tax preparation by trained and certified volunteers to taxpayers in Lancaster County. It is a service of United Way of Lancaster County.
In 2023, VITA completed more than 9,000 returns, saving clients more than $2.4 million in preparation fees and securing refunds of more than $9 million.
Raising the threshold by $10,000 will qualify more than 17,000 additional taxpayers for VITA’s services, according to Internal Revenue Service data.
“Having a higher threshold means that we will be able to serve more individuals and families in our communities,” VITA Director Kim Maldonado said. “While $70,000 may seem like a high amount, we know that there are individuals and families who are still struggling to make ends meet. Being able to save on return fees can make a difference for many.”
In 2021, the most recent year available, Lancaster County taxpayers filed just over 280,000 returns, of which roughly two-thirds were for incomes below the $70,000 threshold.
VITA’s goal for 2024 is 11,000 tax returns.
VITA continues to seek volunteers for the 2024 tax season. To sign up and receive updates about training sessions, click here. Training is free, and volunteers are asked to provide four hours of time a week during tax season.
Two upcoming information sessions for prospective volunteers are scheduled at VITA’s downtown Lancaster location at Landis Place on King, 245 W. King St. They will take place at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18. No registration is necessary.
