Citizens provides $30,000 grant and volunteer support to deliver free tax assistance for PA and NJ residents with household incomes under $64K
Philadelphia (April 3, 2024) – With the 2024 tax season in full swing, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey along with its partners, invite Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents to take advantage of free tax assistance through its highly successful Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program supported by Citizens $30,000 contribution and volunteer support.
"United Way’s VITA program is an important community benefit that helps New Jersey residents maximize their tax returns,” said Dan Fitzpatrick, President of Mid-Atlantic Region at Citizens “One of the most important things we do at Citizens is help provide financial education and guidance which is why we’re proud to continue our financial and volunteer support this tax season to help give people the confidence and tools to navigate the process with ease and assurance.”
VITA is a free tax preparation service available to individuals and families with household incomes up to $64,000 annually. The volunteer-based initiative provides essential services for individuals to confidently file their taxes and feel financially empowered, also offering language assistance to better serve the ever-evolving diverse communities. Through the VITA program, taxes are prepared by IRS-certified volunteers and attendees are personally walked through any questions or concerns they are experiencing in filing their taxes.
Last year more than 42,500 tax returns were filed by VITA volunteers across the region, returning $32 million in state and federal tax refunds to residents. Each year, VITA helps many claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, a refundable credit that is often overlooked by many taxpayers. Last year, VITA programming helped over 4,000 residents access Earned Income Tax credits.
“At United Way, we’re committed to securing every resource available to help our neighbors thrive. With Citizens’ generous support, we're proud to offer families across our region VITA’s effective and compassionate tax assistance services,” said Kate Houstoun, Chief Impact Officer at United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. “Millions of dollars are left on the table each year that could benefit local families and businesses. With partners like Citizens, we are helping to ensure that every dollar owed comes home.”
The VITA program is a partnership with United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, Campaign for Working Families, Citizens, and other regional funders.
Citizens colleagues donate their time and skills as IRS-certified tax preparers to help support residents navigate their taxes to maximize returns. Support for United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s VITA program is part of the bank’s broader Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money program that provides financial education and resources to the communities it serves. In 2024, Citizens has committed $2.4 million to support 137 nonprofits’ financial empowerment programs.
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s IRS-certified and trained VITA volunteers are ready to assist PA residents, in-person, at various locations throughout the region.
To learn more on how to access VITA services, visit www.cwfphilly.org/.
About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $222.0 billion in assets as of December 31, 2023. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,200 ATMs and approximately 1,100 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn or Facebook.
About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (United Way) is on a mission to end poverty and expand opportunity for all. By forging coalitions with business, government, and community organizations, we provide the skills and support people need to become—and remain—financially independent. Serving Pennsylvania's Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey's Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Cumberland counties, United Way leads solutions that deliver immediate relief and long-term achievement. To get involved and learn more, visit www.unitedforimpact.org