The Chattahoochee Valley VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Coalition is a community collaborative whose mission is to enhance the financial well-being of families and individuals by providing free tax preparation and financial education. 

The Chattahoochee Valley VITA program completed 2,238 tax returns this tax season, an increase of 45 percent over last year.  Clients using VITA saved an average of $222 by using the free service. As a result, more than $3.2 million came back to families in tax refunds. VITA provides FREE tax preparation to individuals earning less than $49,000 a year. 

About the Coalition
The Chattahoochee Valley VITA Coalition exists for the primary purpose of organizing and operating free tax preparation sites and also providing education on various financial and asset building initiatives. The VITA Coalition is based in Columbus, GA and was formed in 2004. The core VITA Coalition partners include local and state government, not for profit organizations, business leaders and dedicated volunteers. Throughout its history, the VITA Coalition has focused on providing assistance to low to moderate income individuals and families living in the Chattahoochee Valley.

Today, the VITA Coalition operates four sites in Muscogee County Georgia. The sites include Consumer Credit Counseling Service, which is a program of the Family Center, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, Homeless Resource Network, and Mission Columbus.  Each site operates independently of one another in accordance with IRS guidelines. These guidelines help ensure quality and accurate service at all VITA sites.

Volunteers are trained and certified through the IRS prior to the beginning of tax season. Each site must have a site coordinator on staff to manage and oversee all volunteers and daily operations. The use of TaxWise Online, an IRS approved tax software, allows each site to e-file tax returns, ensuring that refund checks are delivered to individuals within a few short days.

In addition to operating the four VITA sites, the Coalition also actively seeks to increase community awareness about VITA and engage individuals interested in volunteering.