Akron, Ohio – U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) has announced that two United Way organizations in Northeast Ohio will receive a combined $260,000 in federal funding to help residents prepare and file their taxes without paying for assistance.
The grants, awarded by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), will support programs that provide free tax preparation services to individuals and families, including people with limited incomes, older adults and residents who may face difficulties completing their tax returns.
According to Sykes, the United Way of Greater Stark County will receive $160,000, while the United Way of Summit and Medina will receive $100,000.
Both organizations will use the funding to support the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. More information about both programs can be found here.
The congresswoman emphasized that the financial burden of preparing taxes can create additional challenges for households already struggling with everyday expenses.
“Filing taxes can be stressful and expensive, especially for individuals and families already working hard to make ends meet. These grants will help connect more Northeast Ohioans with free, reliable tax preparation services so they can file with confidence. I’m proud to see these investments supporting United Way organizations in our community and helping ensure that cost is not a barrier to accessing important tax services.” said Rep. Sykes.
Federal funding will expand access to free tax assistance
The local grants are part of a larger IRS effort to support free tax preparation programs across the United States.
Nationally, the agency is awarding 282 VITA grants totaling $46 million, along with 49 TCE grants worth another $12 million.
The VITA program has been operating for more than 50 years and helps eligible taxpayers prepare their returns without paying for professional services.
It generally focuses on individuals with lower incomes, people with disabilities and those who have difficulty speaking English.
Although the IRS does not establish a single income limit for the entire VITA program, individual locations may set their own eligibility requirements.
The TCE program provides another option for residents who need help understanding their tax responsibilities.
It primarily serves adults ages 60 and older, with particular attention to tax questions involving pensions, retirement income and other financial matters that often affect seniors.
Through these two programs, qualifying Northeast Ohio residents can receive assistance with preparing their tax returns while avoiding the cost of paid tax preparation services.
The $260,000 investment will help the two United Way organizations continue offering these services to community members who need them.
Sykes described the funding as an important way to make tax filing more accessible and ensure that financial concerns do not prevent residents from seeking reliable assistance.
