What is the IRS VITA Program?

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, is a special needs operation sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The program aims in helping under privileged families fill out tax return forms.

To qualify for the VITA Program, individuals usually must receive an income of $49,000 or lower. This is to ensure that the participants of the program are justly deserving of the free services they receive. Also, many low income individuals and families have less time to work on tax returns, meaning many times without the VITA Service their tax returns may be incorrect or not filed at all.

Not only does the program assist in filing tax returns, it also educates participants about special tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Credit for the Elderly. Most locations, usually held at community centers, libraries, or schools, help e-file tax returns. This ensures that they will be filed quicker than if done by paper and mailed through the post office; sometimes twice as fast! Participants can usually expect their refund check within ten days of filing.

VITA volunteers are usually community individuals who have received specialized tax filing instruction before they work with clients. Many of these volunteers are retired financial workers or community members who have an interest in gaining knowledge about tax returns.

The main purpose of the program is to give underprivileged individuals specialized instruction, and also teaches them more about their own financial well being. Volunteers are taught to work with participants, not for them, helping them to understand the policies of the IRS. Also, most VITA offices make participants bring personal identification along with all required forms, making sure they know exactly what forms they are being assisted with.

The IRS VITA Program teaches that it is always better to teach a man to fish than to merely give him a fish for dinner!

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Jonathan Boral

Jonathan Boral, a junior at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina an avid fan of film, television, and music. He has spent many hours finding the delicate balance between his love for acting, business, and the entertainment industry. Through his school career, he has appeared in several different shows, including the musical Annie and Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Not only as an actor, but he has also been able to see the production side of shows as the Stage Manager for Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Momma’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feeling So Sad. Constantly finding new ways to study the business and production aspects of film and television, he has spent time researching box office returns and film production values, in hopes to one day writing for an entertainment journal, or working as a film producer or talent agent. He plans on further pursuing his knowledge of the business world by becoming an active member of the Marketing and Entrepreneurship Clubs at Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Currently at UNC, Jonathan has received numerous honors. Most highly is his position as the Vice President of the Omega chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi, North America’s largest Jewish Fraternity. Along with this leadership position, he has been nominated for many achievements, including the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Leadership Advantage Program, the National Society of Leadership and Success, along with being on UNC’s Dean’s List for multiple semesters.

Now residing in Chapel Hill, he hopes to use his articles as an outlet for further business and financial knowledge, along with connecting to his readers with his youthful perspective. In his free time, he enjoys watching all types of films, playing with his dog Hutch (a chow mix), and spending time with family and friends.

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