ELKINS – The Tygart Valley United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provided free tax return preparation services to 966 households for the 2026 filing season, helping put more than $1.2 million back into the pockets of local residents.

“We are so grateful to the individuals that recognize the importance of this program and choose to share their time with the community,” said Casey Gilbert, the program’s Community Impact Director. “It’s a joy to work with volunteers through the certification process and see them make valuable connections with taxpayers.”

With the support of a federal IRS VITA grant, the organization was able to maintain five sites and serve local taxpayers. The sites saw West Virginians from across 18 counties throughout the state.

The program is offered annually from January through Tax Day, April 15, to assist families and individuals with low to moderate incomes to prepare their tax returns for free. With no cost to clients, households can save an average of $350 in tax preparation fees, amounting to more than $330,000 saved.

The Tygart Valley United Way VITA program site prepared and filed a total of 966 state and federal tax returns, with an average refund of $1,667 per household. Residents received $130,303 in Earned Income Tax Credits, $100,525 in Child Tax Credits, and $21,692 in other tax credits.

“Tax refunds are often the largest lump-sum financial support a household will receive throughout the year, so it’s a priority for us to ensure individuals continue to have access to this free service,” Gilbert said.

Officials said the VITA program allows individuals to keep their hard-earned money where it belongs – with them.

For the 2026 filing season, the TVUW VITA program provided free tax services to 966 households. With multiple tax law changes in place this season, like no tax on tips or overtime, taxpayers expressed concern about making sure their returns were filed accurately. 39 IRS-trained and certified volunteers ensured taxpayers received all the credits and deductions for which they were eligible and helped put over $1.2 Million back into the pockets of residents.

Volunteers are crucial to the program’s success. Through the agency’s partnership with local banks, eight companies participated in the VITA program through employee volunteerism: MVB Bank, Huntington Bank, WesBanco, Freedom Bank, Truist, Clear Mountain Bank, Davis Trust, and First Exchange Bank.

Officials said this program would not be possible without the community support, including investment partners: IRS, EQT Foundation, and Huntington Banks.

Other program partners who helped make the season a success were: Barbour County Community Garden Market, Five Rivers Public Library, Taylor County Senior Center, Randolph County Senior Center, West Virginia University, and GetYourRefund.

If you would like to learn more about getting involved with the VITA program, please contact Mary Heinrich, VITA AmeriCorps Member at 304-366-4550, Ext 104, or email vita@tvunitedway.org.