The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties will host a Ribbon Cutting, presented by the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, on January 31, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. The event will be held at the Historic Murfreesboro Courthouse to mark the beginning of the United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for 2017.

The United Way VITA program is a free service that aids qualifying local residents in claiming their tax refund dollars. Beginning January 28, 2017, immediately following National Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day, the VITA sites at Patterson Park Community Center and the Smyrna Public Library will be open to individuals and families with a household income less than $64,000 annually.

Through the VITA program, residents can also file for free by visiting the Fifth Third Bank Financial Empowerment Mobile E-Bus. The 40-foot E-bus, equipped with 12 computers, will be stationed in front of the Historic Murfreesboro Courthouse on January 31, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m to assist residents in completing their taxes online.

In 2016, $1.2 million was returned back into Rutherford and Cannon counties through the United Way VITA program.

For additional details about the VITA program, visit www.yourlocalvita.org or call United Way's information and referral specialist line, 2-1-1.