Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – For Sophia Lopez, a typical Saturday the last few weeks has included preparing and filing tax returns for people in the community as a Texas Southmost College Accounting Technology student and volunteer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
The 24-year-old, along with others in her class, have all completed a Federal Income Tax course within their curriculum and have earned a certification through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax preparation to volunteer with the VITA program.
As for Lopez, she also prepares taxes, and offers bookkeeping, payroll and translation services as an intern with The Business Group in Brownsville and is in the process of receiving a second certification from the IRS for advanced tax preparation.
“This has all been such a great learning experience for all of us,” said the Rancho Viejo transplant. “From a girl who didn’t know English coming from Mexico to helping our community with tax returns, this has been a huge step for me. This experience is more than I could have ever expected.”
The VITA program, which is located at the ITEC Center, has been in operation for more than two decades, offering those in our community with a household annual income of $57,000 or less, free tax preparation services.
The TSC VITA site, in collaboration with the United Way of Southern Cameron County, is the site with the highest number of returns resulting in $4-5 million refund dollars annually.
People from across the Rio Grande Valley use this free tax service.
TSC Accounting Technology Program Coordinator Maggie Solis said over the last 20 years she has been able to see the VITA program grow and including her students has been a valuable experience for everyone involved.
“This site is run entirely by volunteers, including our students, most of which are getting ready to graduate,” said Solis. “So, to see our services growing, increasing the number of people we serve, and seeing our students get real-world experience while advancing their skills, has been a great honor.”
Solis added that the partnership with the United Way of Southern Cameron County has been rewarding and is what helped take this site to a new level.
“Since partnering with the United Way 15 years ago, our VITA site has turned into the destination tax preparation site for people in the Rio Grande Valley,” she said. “We are open six days a week, throughout the entire tax season, ensuring we’re available for everyone who needs us.”
Mayela Moreno, VITA program coordinator with the United Way of Southern Cameron County agrees, the partnership has been a benefit to many.
“TSC’s accounting class has been a critical component of our program, and the partnership we have created with TSC is of utmost value to us and our community,” said Moreno. “Our goal is to get people in our community the assistance they need with their federal income tax and to inform them and educate them about tax credits they may be eligible for. With this partnership and the many we hold throughout Cameron County, we are able to achieve this.”
This tax season, following COVID precautions, the VITA site is preparing taxes virtually. Clients can drop off their documents and expect a call from tax preparers once the tax preparation is reviewed and completed.
The TSC ITEC Center VITA site is located in Room F6 and is open Monday to Saturday through April 18, the income tax deadline.
For VITA site hours or more information, call 956-295-3761.
