United Way Volunteers File Over 1,700 Community Member Tax Returns for Free for This Tax Season

United Way celebrated the conclusion of another successful Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free tax filing services to local residents throughout Santa Barbara County with an annual income of $67,000 or less. The program operated from February 2nd – April 15th, 2026, at four local community sites, including UC Santa Barbara, the Goleta Community Center, Santa Barbara Public Library’s Eastside Branch, and United Way of Santa Barbara County in downtown Santa Barbara

This year, the program served over 1,700 households, returning over $2.4M in tax refunds to the local Santa Barbara community. Over 100 local volunteers joined forces as part of the United Way program, which falls under the organization’s Financial Security initiative. Program volunteers are IRS-certified tax preparers, and help qualifying community members prepare, and electronically file their tax returns completely free of charge.  VITA volunteers can also assist with Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) applications and renewals.

Over its 13+ years in Santa Barbara County, the VITA program has become an essential part of the region’s financial security infrastructure for families. Volunteers specialize in maximizing tax refunds for clients in the program’s qualifying income range, ensuring households claim credits such as the California Earned Income Tax Credit and the Young Child Tax Credit. “Sometimes it’s a matter of life and death,” said a participating program volunteer. “If they don’t get their proper refund back, that’s what they rely on to get them through the whole year.”

“The VITA program is a central part of our Financial Security work,” said Steve Ortiz, United Way’s President & CEO. “We’re proud to offer our community this service and are thankful for the outstanding network of volunteers who make the program possible each year. From training and certification to helping families maximize their refunds, their care for those we serve is clear. That dedication and commitment to service is at the center of what we strive for here at United Way.” 

United Way will be offering extended tax filing services through October 2026 by appointment at its offices in Santa Barbara. Appointments can be made online at www.unitedwaysb.org/VITA.

For questions about the VITA program, to learn more about becoming a volunteer, or to find other program details, please contact United Way at 805-965-8591 or visit www.unitedwaysb.org/VITA