The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is a free tax preparation service for individuals and families in Santa Barbara County. Tax returns are prepared and completed by IRS-Certified volunteers each year from February through April throughout Southern Santa Barbara County.
File your taxes free with VITA!
2019 VITA SITE SCHEDULE
Click here to view the VITA schedule - VITA clients are not guaranteed same-day service
haga clic aquí para ver el horario - Los clientes no están garantizados el servicio del mismo día
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FOR VOLUNTEERS
United Way of Santa Barbara County will host in-person training sessions for all volunteers.
January 5, January 12, January 19, and January 26, 2019
9:00am – 2:00pm at 320 E. Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Online training is also available.
To volunteer for our tax preparation service, please click the button below. UCSB students, click the blue button.
If you have any questions regarding the VITA Program, please contact Melinda Cabrera mcabrera@unitedwaysb.org 805-965-8591.
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Vision 2020
More lower-income families will have increased and increasing long-term financial assets.
Mission
To increase by 50% the number of lower-income families who are financially stable.
Outcome
The measurable outcome of the Financial Empowerment Partnership of South Santa Barbara County is to:
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Grow the number of client participants (earning an annual income of $58,000 or less for a family of four) in all current and future projects by 10% or more each year.
Strategies
The Partnership has seven major projects for the next three years:
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Establish and Maintain Emergency Savings Account (ESA): clients start an ESA and contribute some amount of money each payday with an initial goal of $1,000.
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Financial Literacy Education: clients attend and graduate from bilingual, IRS-approved community financial literacy programs.
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Reduce Debt: clients learn and practice ways to reduce debt.
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Increase Your ESA: encourage clients to increase their investment to an amount equal to three to six months of living expenses.
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Retirement Savings: open, fund, and maintain an IRA with 5-15% of income every payday.
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VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance): maximize credits and deductions, eliminate tax preparation costs by using VITA and Senior Tax Assistance.
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College and Career Savings Plans: create, fund, and maintain a college and/or career tax-deferred 529 or Coverdell account for you, a spouse, children, or grandchildren for community college, technical/vocational schools, four-year colleges, or other qualified providers.