Tri-County United Way Opens Appointments for Eligible Households Through Free VITA Tax Program

Glens Falls, NY — January 22, 2026 — Tri-County United Way is now accepting appointments for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, offering free federal and New York State income tax preparation for families and individuals with a household income of $69,000 or less.

VITA returns are prepared by IRS-certified local volunteers at no cost. Volunteers undergo comprehensive training and certification each year to ensure accurate tax preparation, maximize eligible credits, and maintain strict client confidentiality. Returns are filed electronically for faster refunds.

Please note: VITA volunteers are not qualified to prepare returns that include rental income, self-employment income, active military income, stock sales, or farm income.

Scheduling an Appointment
Households that meet the income requirement may call 1-800-211-5128 to schedule an appointment. Phone lines are open now. A list of required documents and additional information is available online: tricountyunitedway.org/vitavisit. Appointments begin January 31 and run through April 13th.

VITA Program: Serving Local Communities for Over 20 Years

For more than two decades, Tri-County United Way’s VITA program has helped residents of Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga counties save money and receive tax refunds efficiently. In the 2025 tax season:

  • 49 IRS-certified volunteers contributed their expertise, including 35 tax preparers and 14 appointment schedulers
  • Volunteers dedicated 3,566 hours (valued at $127,342)
  • 2,473 appointments were scheduled, and 2,133 tax returns prepared
  • More than $3.2 million in federal and state refunds returned to local households
  • Local taxpayers saved $746,550 in professional tax preparation fees
  • The program generated a total economic impact of $4.08 million

Services were provided through five traditional VITA sites and two mobile teams, offering a total of 846 hours of free tax assistance across the region from January through April.

About Tri-County United Way
Tri-County United Way unites people and resources to strengthen communities and improve lives throughout Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga counties. For more information, visit tricountyunitedway.org.