As part of our commitment to addressing key community issues, United Way of Washtenaw County is developing strategies to positively impact the economic mobility of our citizens. The goal is to help move people towards greater financial self-sufficiency and away from the safety-net services that are used during crisis situations.
VITA: Free Tax Preparation for Those Who Need It
Our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a national IRS-sponsored program. We recruit and train volunteers who become IRS certified to complete FREE tax returns for families and individuals with incomes under $57,000.
Filing taxes is a key part of building financial stability and independence. Tax returns are needed to access housing supports, be approved for a mortgage, and to verify income for other benefits. Tax refunds are often the single largest sum of money a family will receive in a year, and can act as a savings plan, an opportunity to pay down debt, or fund larger purchases such as replacing a car.
Credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit provide support to working families. VITA also provides an avenue to connect community members with other financial services, such as financial coaching through Trust Plus.
Read about the impact of our VITA Program, which returned over $1.4 million in credits and refunds to the community in 2021.
Interested in becoming a VITA Client? Visit our Free Tax Help Page.
Trust Plus: Free Financial Coaching for Washtenaw County People
We are partnering with TrustPlus to provide FREE one-on-one support to help people reach their financial goals. This service is confidential and offered at no cost to you. TrustPlus coaches can work with you on a range of financial topics, including:
- Building credit so that you can qualify for the best credit cards, loans, or mortgage.
- Reducing troublesome debt -- from collections accounts, medical bills, and student loans.
- Budgeting and building a safety net for emergencies.
To get started, text the code UNITEDWAY to (646) 349-5959 or visit the Trustplus website to create your account and schedule your meeting.
Want to learn more? Download the informational materials provided below for more details.
Flyers about Financial Coaching in English can be found here.
Got Questions? Check out this FAQ Document in English and Spanish.
Download our Reference Guide for additional information about TrustPlus financial coaching.