Panama City Tax Program Saved Families $3.5M Last Year

Families earning under $70,000 in Northwest Florida have a lifeline during tax season, and now the program needs more helpers to expand its reach.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) partners with United Way to offer completely free tax filing services. Last year alone, volunteers helped file over 2,500 tax returns in the Panama City area, bringing $3.5 million back into the local economy.

"Taxes can run a couple hundred to like 4 or 5 hundred dollars depending on where you're getting your taxes done, and that's a lot of money especially when it comes to a single parent who is trying to make ends meet," said Jen Richardson, VITA program specialist.

The program desperately needs more volunteers, but you don't need to be a tax expert to help. VITA provides complete training over just two days, teaching volunteers everything they need to know about filing returns and staying current on tax law.

Richardson says volunteering comes with unexpected benefits beyond helping others. The experience counts toward high school and college service requirements, and volunteers get practice that helps with their own personal tax preparation.

The Ripple Effect

For more than 10 years, VITA has operated at the intersection of community service and economic impact. When families save hundreds of dollars on tax preparation fees, that money stays in their pockets for groceries, rent, and emergencies.

The $3.5 million in returns that flowed back into Northwest Florida last year represents real purchasing power for working families. Single parents especially benefit, turning what would be a stressful expense into a free service.

The program runs at five locations across the region, from Chipley to Port St. Joe. Most sites operate by appointment, though the A.D. Harris Learning Village in Panama City welcomes walk-ins Tuesday through Saturday mornings.

Volunteers commit to helping during the tax season window, which runs from late January through mid-April at most locations. The schedule flexibility means volunteers can choose shifts that work around their own commitments.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact United Way of Northwest Florida at 850-785-7521 to learn more about the two-day training process. With more volunteers, VITA can extend hours and help even more families keep their hard-earned money where it belongs.