A new, rolling tax preparation office will make it a little easier for eligible households in Lansing and beyond to get their tax returns done this year.
United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) announced the RV-size Free Tax Prep Mobile today. A feature of UWSCMI’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, the Free Tax Prep Mobile will spend this tax season serving neighborhoods throughout the city four days a week, with an additional day in nearby rural communities.
UWSCMI President & Executive Officer Chris Sargent applauded local, state and federal officials and organizations that made the Free Tax Prep Mobile possible. They include Mayor Andy Schor and the Lansing City Council, who together invested American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal dollars; former U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, who secured support by advocating for funds through the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Dean Transportation, which is providing in-kind storage and driver training; and Flagstar Foundation, offering operational funds.
“Partnership makes VITA happen,” said Sargent. “Through VITA, United Way brings trained, IRS-qualified volunteers to provide free tax preparation services for low- to-moderate-income households across eight counties, including Capital Area. A high-quality return for a taxpayer struggling financially can be the difference between facing a tax bill with money they don’t have and getting money back to support their family.”
Mayor Schor said the city’s support for the mobile unit was an easy choice. “My administration strives to remove barriers, empower residents financially, and ensure equitable access to vital services that can make a real difference in people’s lives. VITA and the Free Tax Prep Mobile will go a long way to making that difference,” he said.
The 35x12x8-foot Free Tax Prep Mobile—almost the size of a charter bus—includes three meeting spaces where taxpayers can meet privately with volunteer preparers. The unit was constructed by LDV Inc. in Burlington, Wisc., at a cost of $648,765.
To date, the VITA mobile unit has plans to provide on-site services through these local partners: Capital Area District Library branches at South Lansing, Foster and Downtown Lansing; The Fledge; Ingham County/Michigan Department of Health & Human Services; Salus Center; the Financial Empowerment Center at Reo School; Eaton Rapids District Library; Charlotte Community Library; Olivet University; and St. Johns Parks and Recreation. Each partner will announce dates, times, locations and how to schedule an appointment. Sargent said UWSCMI aims to serve 800 local households this year through the Free Tax Prep Mobile.
VITA is a program of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, working through local administrative partners in communities across the country. UWSCMI is the local VITA partner for Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Montcalm and Shiawassee counties. Last year, UWSCMI’s VITA program served 5,086 households, including 2,658 households in Capital Area, and generated $7,659,817 in tax refunds, including $3,872,102 for Capital Area households. More information is available at vitataxprep.org.
