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Vermont presenters urge expanded support for volunteer tax‑assistance programs
Summary
Capstone Community Action and AARP told the House Ways & Means Committee on Feb. 12 that volunteer tax‑assistance programs serve low‑ and moderate‑income Vermonters statewide and are seeking more volunteers and modest state funding increases to expand outreach and year‑round services.
On Wednesday, Feb. 12, representatives of Vermont’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) network and AARP’s Tax‑Aide program told the House Ways & Means Committee that their volunteer tax‑preparation services reach low‑ and moderate‑income Vermonters, help people claim state and federal credits, and need steady funding and more volunteers to expand year‑round assistance.
Liz Scharf, director of Community Economic Development and Food Security at Capstone Community Action, described the statewide Community Action Network’s VITA program and a formal funding request. “We are able to help folks prepare and file their taxes for free if they earn $67,000 or less,” Scharf said, adding that the network is seeking an increase of $148,000 for VITA over the current $400,000 base allocation and is part of a larger $1,650,000 base funding request that would cover three related financial capability programs (micro‑business development, VITA, and financial coaching).
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