Income

Promoting financial stability & independence

UWNA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

The UWNA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) initiative helps community members living with limited resources receive their Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Qualifying families can claim as much as $5,761, which can increase their income up to 40 percent. The average refund for the average taxpayer is the equivalent of three paychecks. VITA also educates individuals and families about other financial resources in our community.

During the 2013 tax season, the UWNA VITA program helped over 2,200 low and moderate income families, and returned over $3.3 million in tax returns.

Individual Development Accounts (IDAs)

UWNA, BOTHANDS, and Coconino Community Services partner to provide Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) for community members living with limited resources. IDAs provide matched savings (up to 5:1) for buying a home or starting a small business. Through IDAs, nine community members are enrolled in business development classes, one purchased a van for a new catering business, and seven are saving for a down payment on a home.