United Way of Santa Barbara County and the office of Supervisor Laura Capps have announced the return of the Mega Tax Day event, Saturday April 12, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Franklin Elementary School, 1111 E. Mason St.
Mega Tax Day convenes United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program volunteers at Franklin School to prepare and file taxes for free for qualifying community members.
Sponsored by Capps’ office and partners at U.S. Bank, the event includes a community resource fair, connecting families with local financial tools and resources to strengthen their financial foundation.
The community resource fair will welcome partners from local service agencies and financial institutions to share resources for families.
Tax preparation, facilitated by IRS-certified volunteers, will be done onsite and by appointment only, is open to households with an annual income of $67,000 or less in 2024. (Required documentation can be found online at the program’s website.)
Schedule appointments online at www.unitedwaysb.org/Tax-Day.
“United Way’s VITA program is a cornerstone of our community’s well-being and helps hardworking families access crucial tax credits and put more money back in their pockets,” said Capps.
“The network of volunteer tax preparers is an invaluable part of building up our fellow community members’ financial stability and a stronger Santa Barbara County for everyone,” she said.
The 2024 VITA program served some 2,000 households across Santa Barbara County, returning over $2.5 million in tax refunds to the community.
The program falls within United Way’s Financial Empowerment initiative, which connects students, individuals and families with data-driven, community-based programming to strengthen financial foundations and build sustainable plans for the future.
The initiative includes United Way’s Resiliency Grants program and efforts by the organization to advance community initiatives in childcare.
For more on Mega Tax Day, the VITA program, or for related questions, contact United Way’s Community Impact Coordinator, Estefany Delgadillo, at 805-965-8591 or visit www.unitedwaysb.org/Tax-Day.