1. Putting the “FUN” in Refund
VITA Tax Clinics in CAP Agencies
Angela Larson and Michelle Jensen

2. Overview

3. What is VITA?
IRS Program
Must Utilize Volunteers
Scope
Income

4. Why taxes? Work with people in crisis Seeing predatory practices
Tax time is a financial reset
Our clients need every penny of their refund

5. Why is VITA a Good Fit for CAP Agencies?
Targets low-income households
Utilizes volunteers
Help customers gain knowledge to not fall prey to predatory practices
Outreach for other programs at the site
Helps their financial picture
Easy recruitment for tax site customers through other CAP programs
Community Action Plan NPI’s

6. UCAP’s Historical Results 2007-2019

7. Site Expansion History
Marshall-2007
Jackson-2008
Windom-2011
Redwood Falls-2014
Willmar-2016
Hutchinson-2019
Mobile Sites

8. Production History

9. Refund History

10. Total Cumulative Refunds: A Big Economic Impact
$19,441,180

11. Volunteers Produced:
$958.00/hour

12. Key Elements to a Successful Tax Site
IRS SPEC Partner (We have a great one in MN!)
Partnership with MDOR
Equipment
Software
Start early: Summer/Fall
Volunteer recruitment and retention
Partnerships with colleges/universities
Good training for volunteers
Marketing plan
Site organization/flow
Quality review
Tracking

13. Don’t forget: FUN!

14. Challenges Space/location Scheduling and/or walk-ins
Establishing a customer base
Ensuring excellent quality
Volunteer retention

15. Funding Suggestions

16. Questions?

17. Contact us! Angela Larson United Community Action
Family Services Director
ext. 2156
Michelle Jensen United Community Action Family Services Manager ext