Everybody should enjoy having a little extra money in their pockets. Whether you are buying a pack of gum or even some diapers, you have the right to spend your money on whatever you want. “In 2004, nearly $3 billion went to tax preparation companies in the form of fees” (Newswire). The underlying problem in Horry County and around country is the lack of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs. This is a problem because there are plenty of tax preparation sites that requires the tax payer to pay whenever there are people around who do the same service for free. I feel as if we need more VITA services so that our community can keep as much money as possible. I want to bring more sites into Horry County so that our community may strive to keep as much money in their pockets as possible.
     Having to pay to get your taxes filed is a problem because there is a free service available. The population in Horry County is nearly 300,000, but in 2011, only around 2,000 workers taxes were filed (Theis).  Not having enough tax preparers at our VITA site is a problem because the short staff that we have is not enough. The $3 billion dollars that went into tax preparation companies could have been used for better things around the county. Maybe better highways or things that our community needs. I feel that if we do not get more volunteers then over the years the same money tax payers are using to get their taxes filed will be taken out of their tax refund.
     In 2007, a grant was given to the VITA program. They were given money to be able to fund some of the supplies that help at each site. The printers and laptops were some of the major necessities that were purchased with the grant money. When grants were given out nationwide, 70 percent of American taxpayers were helped (Newswire).  The advantage of the grant was that the taxpayers did not have to put forth their own money for supplies if they ran out. Also, more classes were available before the tax season to teach newcomers how to use the software and be able to become a qualified preparer (Business source premier). The only disadvantage was that people from the community would come out thinking they would get paid for helping since there was money from the grant. It really hurt to know that people only wanted to help if they were going to get money and not help to put the money into the taxpayers’ pockets.
     The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) needs to reissue another grant to the VITA, so we could be able to assist more people in the public. In 2004, when a grant was established, more tax returns were completed because more resources were available. The advantage of having a grant to support the VITA group would increase the chances that more workers, that qualify, will be able to get assisted with having their taxes filed. will have their taxes filed. The ultimate goal is for taxpayers to avoid going to commercial businesses that charge outrageous prices. The disadvantage of having grants is the fact that we would expect to get paid for their services. What we expect out of volunteers is a genuine person who does not mind giving time out of their day to better help the community.
     The IRS saw a need around the country and ran with it. They partnered with the VITA group to help low-income workers who make less than $50,000 a year be able to get their taxes back for free. There are plenty of industries around who will file taxes, but at a price. The only solution for the VITA group in Horry County and all around is by grants. The grant can be used for supplies and training classes and the outcome would be taxpayers with all the money taken out from the weekly paychecks. It is important that we get as many volunteers as possible. This tax year is over as of April 15, but you can become a volunteer next season. Everyone should be willing to help their community as best as they can.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited
Lim, Younghee, Tara V DeJohn, and Drew Murray. "Free Tax Assistance And The Earned Income Tax Credit: Vital Resources For Social Workers And Low-Income Families." Social Work 57.2 (2012): 175-184. MEDLINE. Web. 9 Apr. 2013.
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Doyle, Patrick E., Michael W. Matt, and Bradley T. Owens. "A Student Perspective On The IRS S VITA Program." CPA Journal 75.2 (2005): 44-47. Business Source Premier. Web. 9 Apr. 2013.

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​"Free File Alliance Partners with IRS Volunteer Program to Provide Free, In-Person Tax Help for Low-Income Taxpayers." PR Newswire US 21 Mar. 2012: Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 9 Apr. 2013.
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Theis, Lindsey. "VITA prepares free tax returns." Carolina Live. WPDE News Channel 13, 28
Jan 2012. Web. 31 Jan 2013.
<http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=713058