Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Granite United Way's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation to low to moderate income households.

Many people go to commercial tax preparers when they do not need to, paying between $200-$300 for a simple tax return.

This year more than $5.5 Million was returned in federal tax refunds, including over $2 Million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) to families and individuals struggling throughout our community. The EITC, coupled with the Child Tax Credit, has lifted 16,000 NH residents out of poverty, including 8,000 children, each year, on average. (In Vermont, 14,000 residents including 7,000 children). in 2020 VITA helped filers through tax season to claim an additional $5.3 million in federal Economic Impact Payments for Covid-19 relief.

VITA strives to serve people who are underserved, such as those with disabilities, limited English language proficiency, grandparents raising their grandchildren, and people experiencing homelessness who are working, but not bringing in enough to put a roof over their heads.

Our VITA volunteers are trained on all of the latest tax preparation changes and they help thousands of individuals and families throughout New Hampshire and Windsor County, Vermont.

Thank you to Citizens Bank for partnering with us, and investing $50,000 in this program.

Two ways to file for free

Call 211 or visit nhtaxhelp.org to schedule a virtual appointment with an IRS certified tax preparer. (Toll-free outside of NH: 1-866-444-4211)
Visit MyFreeTaxes.com to prepare your own return, for free online, with guidance from a toll-free helpline.

VITA is more than just tax preparation

VITA puts critical financial resources back into underserved New Hampshire and Vermont residents' pockets, as well as into communities across the state that need it the most. The resources provided by VITA sites help to overcome the economic and personal hardships faced here in the Granite State.

While you are having your taxes prepared, our IRS certified volunteers can help you with the following:

Build savings at tax time

Opt to split a portion of your refund into a savings account or US savings bond. 4-in-10 people of all income levels could not withstand an unexpected expense of $400 without going into debt. We encourage filers to split a portion of their refund at the time of filing. It can create a cushion in the event of a loss of income or an unexpected expense. All filers who opt to "split their refund" are also entered into a national savings incentive promotion to win cash prizes!

Tax Credits

For many residents, the dollars they receive through tax credits become the starting point towards personal financial objectives, from paying down debt, to buying a car, to a down payment on a house. VITA can help you claim education tax credits to help with the cost of college, an investment in the future.

VITA can also help families and individuals access important tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit which has lifted more than 16,000 NH residents out of poverty over the last 3 years.

Interested in becoming a VITA Volunteer Tax Preparer?

Granite United Way VITA volunteers are part of a statewide effort that completes more than 5,000 federal tax returns each year, bringing more than $5.5 million back into the bank accounts of New Hampshire residents. VITA volunteers are needed to conduct intake as well as to prepare taxes. Training is provided, along with an IRS-certification, and the average time commitment is 3-to-5 hours/week during tax season.