During United Way's 2015 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, over 40 volunteer preparers completed 724 tax returns resulting in a $1,011,648 investment through tax refunds in Rutherford and Cannon counties. Through combined efforts with My Free Taxes, a free online filing service, the number of returns increased over last year by nearly 40%.

Individuals and families with an average adjusted gross income of $27,600 filed at VITA site locations across Rutherford and Cannon counties with an average refund amount of nearly $1,800.

The United Way VITA program is an IRS-supported tax preparation service, through which trained volunteers prepare taxes at no cost for qualifying individuals and families. This year, with the support of local community partners, United Way expanded the VITA program, providing more individuals and families with resources and options to improve their financial stability to reinvest back in Rutherford and Cannon counties.

Jennifer Gay, Coordinator of Community Impact at United Way said, "With the ever increasing awareness of financial burdens that families face, United Way is at work in our community to bring financial stability through programs and opportunities such as VITA. So many families are faced with the choice of buying groceries or paying their utilities, and United Way would like to be part of the solution through offering families a means of financial stability. The chance to engage in more resources such as VITA, and support Rutherford and Cannon counties is the goal of United Way through financial empowerment."

Local community partners of this year's VITA program included Patterson Park Community Center, Fifth Third Bank, Linebaugh Public Library, Smyrna Library, Cannon County Senior Center, and media support provided by City Auto.

For more information regarding the VITA program, visit www.yourlocaluw.org or call (615) 893-7303.