United Way of Horry County’s (UWHC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to provide free tax preparation and electronic filing services to Horry County residents will begin on January 20, 2021. This year there will be three sites for free tax preparation. The sites will be located in Conway, Myrtle Beach, and Surfside Beach.
Residents with a combined household income of $56,000 or less in 2020 are eligible for free tax assistance. Last year, VITA volunteers helped 890 individuals file their taxes.
United Way of Horry County recruits and trains community volunteers to receive IRS tax certification. Then, these volunteers staff the VITA sites to assist residents with program eligibility and determine if filers qualify for tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Typically, UWHC’s VITA program prepares and files over 750 tax returns and with many residents still out of work due to COVID-19, access to free and reliable tax preparation is more vital than ever to Horry County. Volunteers are needed to help at UWHC three VITA sites.
Tentative VITA site locations, dates, and times for the 2021 tax season:
| Location | Date | Time |
| Myrtle Beach | Every Wednesday from 1/20/21 – 4/7/21 | 1pm – 5pm |
| Conway | Every Saturday from 1/23/21 – 4/3/21 | 10am – 2pm |
| Surfside Beach | Every Monday from 1/25/21 – 4/5/21 | 10am – 2pm |
We are in urgent need of volunteers to help with this year’s VITA program. Volunteer positions available are Greeters, Screeners and Tax Preparers.
- Greeter: You greet everyone visiting the site to create a pleasant atmosphere. Due to COVID-19, all participants will sign in with greeter and then wait in their vehicles. Then, Greeters will notify participants via text when they are able to be seen by a screener. This position involves contact with the public and will be supplied with appropriate PPE equipment.
- Screener: You screen taxpayers to determine the type of assistance they need and confirm they have the necessary documents to complete their tax returns. Screeners will electronically scan in all documents needed for filing into the secure system to be prepared by a certified tax preparer off site. This position involves contact with the public and will be supplied with appropriate PPE equipment including partitions.
- Tax Preparer: You complete and successfully certify in tax law training, including the use of electronic filing software, to provide free tax return preparation for eligible taxpayers. This position involves no contact with the public.
All volunteers will be provided with the appropriate Personal Protection Equipment and appropriate training, which will all be done virtually in early January. Learn how to prepare taxes and make a difference in Horry County at the same time!
If you are interested in being a VITA volunteer, please complete the registration form from the following link: VITA Volunteer Interest Form. All training will be held virtually. If you have any questions, contact United Way of Horry County at 843-347-5195 ext 3 or marketing@unitedwayhorry.org.
