Tulsa Group Helps File Tax Returns For Free; Volunteers Needed For Program

A group that helps people file their tax returns for free needs help to get the job done.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, also known as VITA, has been helping people file their taxes for free for several years.

But this year, through a collaboration with Goodwill Tulsa, Tulsa Responds, and other community partners, VITA hopes to double the number of tax returns filed this year compared to last year.

It's now looking for hundreds of volunteers to help file thousands of tax returns this tax season.

In 2022, VITA filed roughly 5,000 tax returns for Tulsans. This year, VITA wants 250 volunteers to file 10,000 returns.

VITA wants to make sure anyone who wants to file their return for free can do so.

"Historically we've had a lot of volunteers for the VITA program. But because of the pandemic, we lost touch with a lot of the volunteers. And so we are trying to re-engage with them and also recruit brand new volunteers," said Marcela Swenson, Executive Director of Tulsa Responds.

VITA hopes that the increased number of volunteers means fewer people will be turned away.

VITA said roughly 90,000 Tulsans could qualify for this free filing program.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering can sign up. VITA will provide training sessions to get people caught up to speed. You can sign up to volunteer HERE.

CLICK HERE for more information about the program.