What Is VITA?

United Way's Financial Empowerment Zone (FEZ) provides free tax preparation services, case management help with enrollment in income supports and financial literacy workshops to increase the financial stability among lower-income working families in Passaic County.

Our goal is to increase the number of families who can meet their basic needs and increase their financial stability.

During tax season, United Way of Passaic County works with community partners and IRS-certified volunteers to offer free Passaic and Bergen Counties tax preparation sites. Beginning each February, we assist low-and-moderate-income households with income tax preparation. The earned income tax credit helps to lift more families out of poverty each year around tax filing season. EIC rewards the working poor and puts money back into the clients' hands, and therefore the community.
Services provided:

• Federal and State Income Tax Preparation
• Assistance with New Jersey Property Tax Reimbursement (Senior Freeze) and Homestead Benefit forms
• Screening and Enrollment for Health Insurance
• Screening and Enrollment for SNAP/WIC/School Meals/Summer EBT
• Referral and assistance with FAFSA

Importance of VITA

Randy Allen, Director of Community Impact for United Way, said, "United Way's VITA partnership supports financial stability by allowing tax payers to keep the full amount of their return. In most cases, tax payers reinvest those dollars back into their community through increased savings, bill pay and purchases in their community. We are thankful for the partners who helped make the 2021 VITA Program a success."