Special Edition 2012 - VITA Sites Are Vital to Reservation Communities

First Nations Development Institute is conducting research on successful practices and promoting expansion of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites that serve reservation communities. This effort will help ensure economic security for Native families.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, VITA sites generally offer free tax help to those who make $50,000 or less and need assistance preparing their tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation to qualified individuals in local communities. They can inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify, and VITA sites are mostly located in neighborhood centers, libraries, schools and other convenient locations. Most also offer free electronic filing.

Through the First Nations project called VITA Plus: Building Native Family Economic Security and Linking Asset-Building Programs in Indian Country, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, we have made a $10,000 grant to Chief Dull Knife College in Lame Deer, Montana, that will support VITA sites during 2012, including expanding services and connections with another tribal college, Little Big Horn College in Crow Agency, Montana.  Chief Dull Knife College will also look at different ways to incorporate their current VITA work with other kinds of asset-building activities, in an effort to expose their clients to other programs they may need to increase family economic security.

“The work being done by Chief Dull Knife College goes very far in helping Native families receive needed, qualified tax-preparation services,” said Michael Roberts, First Nations president. “Moreover, their efforts are vital to increasing awareness of and connections with families and other asset-building opportunities in Montana.”  He noted these activities can have long-term positive ramifications for entire families and future generations.  “By increasing knowledge of complementary programs, Native American individuals and families are empowered to make better economic choices throughout their lifetimes,” he added.

Chief Dull Knife College is located on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in southeastern Montana. Little Big Horn College is located in Crow Agency, the capital of the Crow Indian Reservation in south-central Montana.

Also through the VITA Plus program, First Nations awarded a $10,000 grant to the Northwest Native Development Fund to expand the services of its VITA site on the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington.

You, too, can help First Nations in its mission to ensure family economic security. Please give generously online or through the mail.