Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Season Kicks Off

CONTACT: Roland Martinez, Department of Human Services
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 210-207-5920

SAN ANTONIO (January 28, 2022) - The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has officially kicked off. This annual program which offers free tax preparation for San Antonio and Bexar County residents who earned up to $55,000 last year, is available through April 18, 2022.
Information on VITA sites and operating hours can be found by visiting www.vitasa.org/. This year the majority of the 11 VITA locations are operating with curbside and drop-off services, and offering evening and weekend hours.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) created VITA more than 40 years ago with local communities to provide free tax return preparation to low-income taxpayers, using IRS-trained community volunteers. VITA is an important tool in helping to ensure that all eligible residents can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and other credits they might be eligible for.
During the regular VITA season last year, volunteers prepared more than 22,000 tax returns that brought in $35 million in tax refunds and $6 million in EITC to low-income families and individuals. That money went back into the San Antonio economy. Plus, VITA saved these taxpayers an estimated $4 million in tax preparation fees.
"These refunds are particularly meaningful when people are struggling with rising gas, rent and grocery prices and are especially helpful for those who may have lost employment or are catching up on utility or medical bills," Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.

"We're proud to collaborate with the City of San Antonio and Catholic Charities on this important effort that strengthens the financial stability of working individuals and families across Bexar County," said Chris Martin, United Way President and CEO. "If you know someone who can benefit from VITA or needs any type of assistance, please call United Way's 2-1-1 Help Line, 24/7."
"We are always happy to work with our partners, especially the City of San Antonio Department of Human Services and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, to deliver needed programs and services like VITA to our community," said J. Antonio Fernandez, President/CEO, Catholic Charities. "Catholic Charities works hard all year to recruit, train, and recognize hundreds of volunteers who will dedicate thousands of hours preparing taxes for free to San Antonio families. The collective hard work of our organizations, our staff, and our volunteers will help provide financial stability and independence for many across our great city."
"It's your money, come and get it," said U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, 35th Congressional District. "It won't cost you a dime to quickly get money you earned last year that was previously deducted for taxes. Plus, you can probably also access some child tax credit money. And for Bexar County small businesses, this means more neighbors who can afford necessities for their families."
Here are the live links to video messages on the 2022 VITA season:
Mayor Ron Nirenberg - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlx7cy1ZBoA&list=PLNZZfcRGpsBygPYKI_II0FTjIZUK0RNVl&index=1
Chris Martin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IMD0og5v8I&list=PLNZZfcRGpsBygPYKI_II0FTjIZUK0RNVl&index=3
Antonio Fernandez - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPd_f8k8x4M&list=PLNZZfcRGpsBygPYKI_II0FTjIZUK0RNVl&index=4
Rep. Lloyd Doggett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCLgJf1hv_g&list=PLNZZfcRGpsBygPYKI_II0FTjIZUK0RNVl&index=5