United Way-led Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program filed more than 20,000 federal and state returns at no cost this tax season
PROVIDENCE – Thousands of working Rhode Islanders turned to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program this tax season, leading to a significant financial boost for households and the state’s economy, states a release.
Led locally by United Way of Rhode Island, VITA returned $21.6 million to residents through tax refunds and credits, and in saved tax preparation and filing fees.
This year, IRS-trained volunteers prepared and filed 20,431 federal and state income tax returns free of charge at 25 VITA sites across Rhode Island, continuing the program’s longstanding mission of ensuring eligible households receive every dollar they have earned and are due.
At a time when many families continue to face high costs for housing, groceries, utilities, and other essentials, VITA plays a critical role in helping employed Rhode Islanders strengthen their financial stability, say backers of this effort. The program also injects needed dollars back into the state’s economy.
“Every tax credit and refund realized through VITA represents money that can help a family catch up on bills, afford everyday necessities, pay down debt, or build savings,” said Cortney Nicolato, United Way’s president and CEO. “These dollars do not sit on the sidelines, they are spent in our communities to support our families, businesses, and the broader economy. There’s no question that VITA is one of the most impactful financial stability initiatives for our state.”
To deliver VITA, United Way partners with community-based organizations throughout the state. The program provides free tax services to eligible households that earned $69,000 or less last year. It helps ensure taxpayers access important tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, which reduce tax burden and increase refunds for working families.
Each VITA site was staffed by IRS-trained and certified volunteers who provided trusted, secure services in multiple languages. This year’s VITA program was especially important as taxpayers navigated IRS changes that took effect in 2026, including no longer issuing paper check refunds and a greater reliance on returns being filed electronically.
