Hello VITA Volunteers - we hope you are enjoying your summer and getting some much-deserved rest after a busy season! We're already hard at work preparing for next tax season. But in the meantime, we did want to let you know about a few updates and opportunities...

Volunteer Recognition

It was great seeing some of you at our Volunteer Recognition event last month to celebrate another outstanding season! This event gave us an opportunity to recognize the volunteers who went above and beyond. We congratulate the following award recipients on their extraordinary contributions this year:

• Rookie of the Year - Marcela Corral
• ACC 292 Student of the Year - Bethany Andersen
• Virtual VITA Superstar - Jamie Brewer
• Virtual VITA Superstar - Bob Wilczynski
• Mary Snow Memorial Award - Julie Bailey
• Bob Henry Memorial Award - Roger Van Zele

Thank you all for your dedication and support this season, we truly couldn't have done it without you!

Income Tax 101 Presentations

Interested in using your tax knowledge during the off-season? United Way nonprofit partners often request Income Tax 101 presentations for participants in their financial education, workforce, and housing programs. We have slides and materials available, but we are always looking for volunteers to help us deliver the presentations!

If you're interested in learning more, you are welcome to join us for a Tax 101 Facilitator Orientation Session on Thursday 6/23 from 5:30-7pm. This will be a hybrid meeting, so you are welcome to join us at the United Way office (330 N Commerce Park Loop, Suite 200) or over Zoom.

To sign up to attend or receive the recording later, please complete this form: Income Tax 101 Presentations - Volunteer Pool or email Alex at: acasper@unitedwaytucson.org.

Summer Hub Help

United Way is continuing to assist taxpayers through GetYourRefund.org this summer, and we are still receiving a steady stream of new clients in the Hub. If you are interested in continuing to work on returns remotely this summer, your help would be greatly appreciated!

• If you're interested and haven't worked in the Hub yet this season, please sign up here: Summer Volunteer Sign-up 
• We would be happy to provide you with any equipment you need such as a laptop, second monitor, or a headset (see the above link)

Many families still need to file to claim the second half of their Child Tax Credit! If you know someone who still needs to file, they can get started with GetYourRefund by visiting our website unitedwaytucson.org/vita or by visiting getyourrefund.org/uwtsa.  

June Valet VITA Appointments

In addition to assisting taxpayers through GetYourRefund, we are offering Valet appointments two days a week at two different locations for the month of June:

• Tuesdays - United Way offices - visit unitedwaytucson.org/vita or click here to book an appointment
• Wednesdays - Kino Service Center - click here for more information, or click here to schedule an appointment

Please help us spread the word. We encourage anyone who thinks they may have credits owed to them, even those who aren't typically required to file, to make an appointment.

Pima County Digital Equity Listening Session

Pima County is hosting three "Let's Talk Tech" listening sessions to learn about community technology needs. As VITA volunteers, many of you would bring great, firsthand insights based on what you have experienced working with community members through GetYourRefund, Valet, or in-person appointments. If you are interested in sharing your experiences and ideas for addressing digital literacy barriers in Pima County, we encourage you to consider attending! The session will be Wednesday 6/22 from 5:30pm-7pm at El Pueblo (101 W Irvington Rd. #7). You can also click here for more information.

Prosperity Now Refund Anticipation Loan Study

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona has partnered with Prosperity Now, a national non-profit organization based in Washington, DC, to collect survey responses as part of a new study on usage and understanding of refund anticipation loans amongst VITA participants. This survey is open to anyone who had their taxes prepared through VITA this year, click here to complete the survey and if someone you know used VITA this season, feel free to share it with them. As a thank you for your time, ten survey participants will be chosen at random to receive a $100 prize!