WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced his support for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act, which would provide significant federal funding to VITA programs throughout Connecticut and the United States. VITA volunteer tax preparers offer free tax help to low-to-moderate income individuals and help them claim credits that support working families, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). These programs save money for the Internal Revenue Service by encouraging more filers to use the IRS’s online services. VITA programs also generate billions in tax returns for low-income filers. Despite these benefits, they receive minimal support from the federal government, leaving money for the IRS and low-income filers on the table.

Murphy recently met with members of United Way from Connecticut who advocated for this bill because of its potential to help middle-class and working families in need of tax preparation assistance.

“The United Way understands the struggle middle-class and low-income families go through every day,” said Murphy. “As a leading advocate for working families and the volunteers that support them, the United Way’s support for this bill demonstrates just how meaningful VITA programs are for millions of Americans. I’m proud to sign on to this bill so that VITA programs get the support they need so they can help families claim tax credits that will put money back in their pockets and ultimately back into the economy.”

Richard J. Porth, President and CEO of United Way of Connecticut, said “Connecticut’s United Ways stand with Senator Murphy in our support for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. This crucial service helps people in filing their taxes and when eligible, claiming tax credits intended to assist hard working families that are still struggling to make ends meet.”