WRFA’s Julia Ciesla-Hanley spoke with United Way of Southern Chautauqua County Executive Director Amy Rohler and United Way Finance and Administration Manager Lisa Sunday about the VITA program.

VITA Volunteers

VITA Income Tax appointments are now available in Chautauqua County.

The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County Executive Director Amy Rohler said the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program was created by Congress about 50 years ago, “It was meant to really make sure that people who were eligible and households that were eligible had a way to get their taxes done for free by a certified individual who is a volunteer. And it’s been going strong for a long time just nationally and in Chautauqua County I believe it’s been more than 20 years.”

Households that make $73,000 or less qualify for the free service in Chautauqua County.

United Way Finance and Administration Manager Lisa Sunday said there are some things the volunteers are unable to do as part of the tax preparation, including document retention, “Because we’re volunteers and the program doesn’t retain any documents from year to year. So things like depreciation on a home business expenses and things like that we’re not allowed to do, so no farms, no business losses greater and no business expenses greater than $25,000. So we can even see some small businesses.”

In 2021, VITA volunteers in Chautauqua County prepared and filed income taxes for more than 466 households, generating $648,239 in refunds.

Traditional in-person appointments and drop off sites for virtual tax preparation are available across Chautauqua County. Appointments are required for both in person and drop off appointments:

• The Prendergast Library
• Community Connections at Findley Lake (drop off only)
• Sinclairville Library
• United Way of Southern Chautauqua County (drop off only)
• Mayville Library
• Silver Creek Library
• United Way of Northern Chautauqua County
• SUNY Fredonia Technology Incubator
• Westfield YWCA

In-person tax preparation is available only to individuals who are vaccinated against COVID-19. Masks are required for in-person and drop-off preparation regardless of vaccination status.

To schedule an appointment for free tax assistance, dial 2-1-1 or call toll-free 1-888-696-9211. You can also text your zip code to 898211.

Lisa Sunday

The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County and United Way of Northern Chautauqua County have announced Lisa Sunday as their new Finance and Administration Manager. This will be a shared position between the two organizations.

Lisa joined the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County staff part time in 2008, assisting in office operations. She was hired full time in 2016 as the Director of Operations, Development and Finance. Sunday will continue in this role via a contract agreement with the two United Ways. Lisa is a certified VITA Site Coordinator and has helped families get back close to $8 million in State and Federal fee-free income tax refund since 2015. She has been a State Employee Federated Appeal Chautauqua County Coordinator since 2008. Sunday holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Accounting and Non-Profit Management from SUNY Empire State College.

Sunday is a lifelong resident of Chautauqua County, and a member of Jamestown Vikings #65. She and her husband have two children and live in Brocton.