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Improving Public Programs for Low-Income Tax Filers

A New America report examines the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, highlighting its role in aiding low-income tax filers and offering recommendations to enhance public benefit access through improved tax filing assistance.

Organization: New America
Authors: Cassandra Robertson, Samarth Gupta
Published Year: 2022
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The report delves into the challenges faced by low-income individuals in accessing public benefits, emphasizing the critical role of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program—a free, government-funded service that provides in-person tax preparation assistance.

It discusses current obstacles, such as complex application processes and limited awareness of available services, which hinder benefit uptake among eligible populations. To address these issues, the report offers several recommendations:

  • Enhancing VITA Program Support: Increasing funding and resources for VITA sites to expand their reach and capacity, ensuring more low-income tax filers can receive assistance.
  • Simplifying Application Processes: Streamlining paperwork and utilizing technology to reduce administrative burdens on applicants, making it easier for individuals to apply for and retain benefits.
  • Improving Outreach and Education: Implementing targeted campaigns to raise awareness about available tax credits and assistance programs, particularly in underserved communities.
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