Salina Volunteers Return $1M to Families Through Free Taxes

Tax season usually means stress and fees, but in Salina, Kansas, it means neighbors helping neighbors keep more of what they've earned.

The Salina Area United Way is launching its free tax preparation program again, running February 2 through April 8 at The McKenzie Center. Last season alone, 34 volunteers prepared 830 tax returns at no cost and helped bring more than $1 million in refunds back to local families.

That million dollars stayed right in the community. It came from credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit that many working families qualify for but might miss without help.

The volunteers aren't professional accountants charging hundreds per return. They're IRS-certified community members, including 25 Kansas Wesleyan University students, who donated nearly 1,500 hours of their time last year because they wanted their neighbors to thrive.

"Tax season can be stressful, and our goal with VITA is to ease that burden for those who qualify," said Christina Small, executive director of the Salina Area United Way. "Our volunteers provide reliable, free assistance so local families can receive the refunds and credits they are eligible for."

The program serves anyone who qualifies on a first-come, first-served basis. Clients need to bring photo ID, Social Security cards, income documents like W-2s, bank information, and last year's return during scheduled intake hours throughout the week.

The Ripple Effect

When families get their full refund, that money doesn't disappear into savings accounts. It pays for groceries, car repairs, school supplies, and medical bills. It circulates through local businesses and strengthens the whole community's economy.

The Greater Salina Community Foundation recognized this impact by awarding a grant to keep the program running. Their investment ensures that financial stability support continues for residents who need it most.

Nine recurring volunteers return year after year because they've seen the difference firsthand. They watch single parents breathe easier knowing they can afford winter coats for their kids, and they help elderly residents on fixed incomes claim every dollar the law allows.

Those 1,500 volunteer hours represent something bigger than tax preparation: they show what happens when a community decides everyone deserves to keep what they've rightfully earned.