On February 7, CAN-DO opened VITA — its free tax-preparation service for low-income individuals — and welcomed its first two tax filers into its office in Nonantum, in space provided by The Village Bank.
Since then, approximately forty additional tax filers have entered the doors.
Eight community members answered the call by CAN-DO to serve as volunteers tax preparers, helping members of Newton and nearby communities to file their federal and state tax returns. The volunteers agreed to undertake a rigorous training program offered by the Internal Revenue Service. Upon completing the training and successfully passing several tests, the volunteers were certified to help low-income individuals — those with annual incomes in 2023 of less than $73,000 — to file their 2023 federal and state tax returns.
CAN-DO’s Executive Director, Josephine McNeil, said, “Words are insufficient to express my appreciation to the individual volunteers who have so generously given of their time to help the tax filers. Some of them express how much they are learning about how beneficial our tax code can be to low-income filers. These are people who enjoy helping people. One of them often remarks, ‘I really enjoy doing this.'”
McNeil noted that in its first 47 days, CAN-DO’s VITA program has filed 24 federal and state tax returns for 2023 at no cost to the filers. She said:
- Most tax filers received a refund.
- The Average Adjusted Gross Income of these filers was below $30,000.
- The most prevalent filing status was single.
- Many filers were parents able to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax credit.
The 2023 tax filing season ends on April 17, and McNeil asks Newton residents to spread the word about this free service. She said, “In the remaining 23 days, CAN-DO is eager and prepared to serve low-income individuals or families seeking to file their tax returns. Parents of children under the age of seventeen can receive significant refunds due to the Earned Income Tax credit.”
The CAN-DO VITA program is open for afternoon appointments, 1PM-5PM, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. People may call 617-906-7293 or email vita@newtoncan-do.org to schedule an appointment.
