With tax season underway, United Way of Tarrant County is bringing free help directly to local families.
The nonprofit is hosting a “VITAthon” Community Resource Fair this Saturday, March 7, at the TCC South Student Center – offering free tax preparation, financial resources, and family‑friendly activities all in one place.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the community fair portion open until 3 p.m. United Way hopes to complete 100 tax returns in a single day, giving families a boost just ahead of Spring Break.
The event is part of United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free, IRS‑certified tax preparation to individuals and households making $69,000 a year or less.
Chris Alvarado, Vice President of Community Investment for United Way of Tarrant County, says the free service can make a meaningful difference for families who might otherwise spend hundreds of dollars on tax preparation fees.
“The financial implication there is that, you know, families could redirect those resources to some more immediate needs, whether it’s a utility bill or an emergency car situation,” he said. “We want those families to utilize those resources for themselves.”
United Way’s VITA volunteers receive extensive IRS training to ensure every return is accurate and every eligible credit is claimed – including the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, which can significantly increase refunds for qualifying families.
“Our volunteers are IRS certified. They’ve been trained. They’ve gone through rigorous training,” Alvarado explained. “They have not only the resources at their disposal from the training, but they also have VITA staff onsite to help with quality reviews and serve as additional resources.”
He added that the goal is not just completing taxes but empowering families.
“We also want families to know that we are there to walk with them in this process and make sure that they feel comfortable and competent, that the resources that we’re providing for them are significant and meaningful,” said Alvarado.
In addition to tax help, the VITAthon will connect visitors to community partners offering free flu shots, financial coaching, education programs, and other services aimed at strengthening financial stability.
“The goal is not just tax preparation,” Alvarado said. “But helping them enroll with other things like financial coaching, financial education, and even workforce training. That’s our goal – to not just be a tax preparation site, but help facilitate those processes that help get families on a more stable footing financially.”
For anyone who can’t make Saturday’s event, United Way will operate 17 VITA sites across Tarrant County throughout tax season.
“We have actually 17 different sites across Tarrant County,” Alvarado said. “And most of them do end on April 15th. We do have one year‑round site located in Arlington at the Shadowbrook complex.”
The VITAthon is open to the public, and bilingual volunteers will be on-site for Spanish‑speaking residents. Appointments take priority, but walk-ins are welcome.
Since 2010, United Way VITA volunteers have filed more than 101,000 tax returns, helping families secure over $175 million in refunds and saving an estimated $300 per client in tax prep fees.
For more information and appointment scheduling, click here.
Great Job Alanna Quillen & the Team @ NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth for sharing this story.
