Volunteers are needed to offer free tax preparation to help working families receive the federal and state tax credits they are eligible for. No previous experience is required, and training is provided.

Through Money in Your Pocket (MIYP), a program of United Way of the Capital Region, volunteers will prepare taxes for free for low- to moderate-income working families in Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties. Nationally, the effort is known as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, or VITA.

Since 2003, MIYP volunteers have filed 69,497 federal tax returns, resulting in more than $74.7 million returned to local families. MIYP has saved clients $10.3 million in tax preparation fees during that time. The average annual income for clients receiving tax preparation services is $22,000.

The MIYP campaign received financial support from the PNC Foundation, the Truist Foundation and the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service.

Volunteers will offer tax preparation services at designated sites in the Capital Region from late January through mid-April 2024. With day and evening hours available, volunteers have many options for when they prepare tax returns. All volunteers will be trained to prepare computerized, electronic returns.

For those interested in learning more, several informational sessions will be held virtually on the follow days and times: Thursday, Oct. 5, noon to 1 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 10, 5 to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6 to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 25, 6 to 7 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 2, noon to 1 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov, 8, 6 to 7 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 16, 6 to7 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 20, 5 to 6 p.m.; and Wednesday, Nov. 29, 6 to7 p.m.

For information on volunteering, contact Heidi Neuhaus at hneuhaus@uwcr.org or call 717-724-4055.