More often those working for hourly wages do not file their tax returns properly, miss tax credits to which they are entitled or they use instant tax return companies which charge enormous fees and then take a disproportionate share of the refund. HEAD Corporation supports these individuals and believes they need to receive their full refund at no cost. HEAD also links those whom are unbanked with Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union to participate in non-predatory financial services.
In cooperation with the United Way of the Bluegrass, HEAD Corporation became the sponsor, coordinator and lead provider for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in 2015. VITA offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns and those who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. VITA volunteers prepared free basic income tax returns to 2,944 individuals living in Appalachian Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky in 2016. The HEAD Corporation sponsored VITA sites in Barbourville, Harlan, Owsley County, Pikeville, Paintsville, Hazard, Pineville, McKee and Berea.
In keeping with the HEAD Corporation mission of coordinating non-profit efforts, we have enlisted several key community organizations to assist with this effort. Among these are the Berea College, Bell-Whitney Community Action Agency, the LKLP Community Action Council, the Big Sandy Area Community Action Program, Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union (ACFCU) and the Eastern Kentucky Asset Building Coalition.
