Goodwill Manasota will continue to partner with United Way Suncoast to provide free tax preparation services to low- to moderate-income households. This tax season – beginning on January 27 – appointments will be available for community members to receive free tax preparation assistance from IRS-certified volunteers at numerous locations throughout the region, including Goodwill’s Mecca location (5150 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota) on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and its Corporate Campus (2705 51st Ave. E., Bradenton) on Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. 

Community members who book in-person VITA appointments can have their tax return prepared, e-filed and direct-deposited, free of charge. This year’s VITA program will also continue to offer free remote tax filing, whereby community members can file their taxes from home, with assistance from IRS-certified volunteers. 

The partners offer this service through the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free and accurate tax preparation services to low- to moderate-income taxpayers (with annual earnings of $96,000 or less). VITA has been instrumental in helping ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households – those with working adults who struggle to afford basic necessities – to receive thousands of dollars in additional refunds.   

VITA is vital to residents and the local economy. In 2025, United Way Suncoast and its partners –including Goodwill Manasota – brought back $11.7 million in refunds, tax credits, and savings on preparation fees to the region. In the five counties served through United Way Suncoast’s VITA program, 9,669 returns were prepared and filed.

“We’re on a mission to deliver free tax preparation services to more community members because we know those dollars can stabilize the challenges delivered by our uncertain economy,” said United Way Suncoast Interim CEO/Chief Impact Officer Bronwyn Beightol. “Everything we do in the community is in partnership with terrific organizations like Goodwill Manasota, and we’re thrilled to have its support.”

VITA utilizes certified volunteers to provide these services at a variety of public locations such as libraries, schools, and neighborhood centers – such as Goodwill locations – in various high-need areas. The VITA program is an IRS initiative designed to support free tax preparation service for the underserved through various partner organizations, helping low-to-moderate income individuals, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English speakers file their taxes each year. 

VITA tax preparers can prepare returns with credits including the Additional Child Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care, Education Credits, and Retirement Saver’s Credit. Certain forms cannot be completed by VITA tax preparers; interested residents are encouraged to ask whether the service they are seeking is available – as well as which forms and information are required – when making their appointment.

“The IRS VITA program helps to remove barriers to filing taxes as well as maximizes tax credits and refunds for many community members. This can reduce or even eliminate the stress of tax season for those who may not fully understand the tax code or have sufficient access to supportive resources and technology,” said Donn Githens, President and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with United Way Suncoast to provide comfortable locations as well as information, resources and expert assistance to help residents file their taxes, easily and conveniently.”

Appointments are required as sites have extremely limited walk-in capacity. To make an appointment, call 833-897-8482. For more about Goodwill Manasota’s programs and services, and store locations, visit experiencegoodwill.org.

About Goodwill Manasota

Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that changes lives through the power of work. Goodwill’s mission-integrated operations assist individuals with barriers – such as people with disabilities, veterans, older adults, and other impediments to stable employment –  by providing jobs, job skills training and education (nearly 45,000 hours in 2025), and life and career coaching. In 2025, Goodwill served 7,527 individuals, placed 1,296 in jobs, assisted 478 veterans, supplied over $70,000 in emergency assistance, collected nearly 250,600 pounds of food for area food banks, and diverted over 100 million pounds from landfills. For more information or for a comprehensive listing of locations, visit experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.

About United Way Suncoast

Founded in 1924, we continue our second century of service with a decided focus on mobilizing the community to action so all can thrive. We elevate early learning, energize middle school and high school youths and empower community members through financial stability. We proudly serve Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties by investing in services and programs that help people create the lives they imagine for themselves. Along the way, we lead, convene and collaborate with corporate supporters, individual donors, nonprofit partners and valued volunteers because we know – United We Rise, United We Win. Visit unitedwaysuncoast.org.