Heritage United Way, in partnership with AARP Tax Aide and Southern NH University,
recently announced the results of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program
in Greater Manchester. This year’s VITA program was generously underwritten by a
$10,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and a $5,000 grant from
the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. 

Trained Volunteer Tax Assistors help individuals complete and electronically file
their returns for free.  This year, 607 total returns were completed at local sites. 
The returns amounted to $997,611 in income tax refunds for working families and
individuals in our community.  

“Our support of Heritage United Way and their tax assistance efforts is based on
a shared goal of helping others attain financial stability,” said John Weeks,
Bank of America New Hampshire president.  “This year’s results truly demonstrate
the impact this program continues to have in the Greater Manchester area.”

VITA programs help families and individuals with low-to-moderate incomes, to take
advantage of the many tax credits and deductions available to them, such as the
Earned Income Tax Credit, and how to claim them on their tax returns.  The Earned
Income Tax Credit (EITC) was created to reduce the tax burden on lower-income workers
and to supplement their wages. The credit can increase an eligible family’s wages by
as much as 20 percent. Of the $997,611 refunded, the VITA sites helped local families
claim over $250,000 in EITC dollars.

“The City of Manchester recognizes the value and importance of having active VITA
programs in the community,” said Mayor Ted Gatsas.  “We applaud Heritage United Way
and their partners for bringing awareness and resources to such an important program.
The Earned Income Tax Credit and VITA programs increase financial stability and economic
independence for many hard-working families in the community who may not have otherwise
been aware of its benefit and help to stimulate our local economy, as well.”

The EITC is the nation’s largest and most powerful anti-poverty program; larger than
the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Food Stamp Programs combined.
Enacted by Congress in 1975 and significantly expanded in the late 1980s and early
1990s, the EITC has helped tens of millions of Americans make the transition from
public assistance to economic independence. Each year, the EITC raises the incomes
of almost five million people above the poverty line, half of whom are children;
yet four million EITC-eligible families annually fail to file for the credit.