United Way
The United Way
For several years, MSPC has been one of the sites for the United Way’s Money in Your Pocket Campaign.
The Money in Your Pocket (MIYP) campaign is a community collaboration of organizations led by United Way of the Capital Region that is committed to the economic stability of local families. The program aims to increase use of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC).
Volunteers, including some MSPC members, prepare computerized, electronic returns through the IRS’ Volunteer Tax Income Assistance (VITA) program, which is designed to provide low- to moderate-income working families with help completing federal and state returns, and obtaining credits for which they are eligible.
MIYP Results
For tax year 2017, 238 volunteers filed 4,675 tax returns, resulting in more than $4.4 million returned to local families. The average annual income for clients receiving tax preparation services was $21,227 and the average return was $1,218. During tax season, volunteers and clients use the atrium, chapel, parlor, and Fellowship Hall for free tax preparation. This is another way the church is a “beacon of hope on the square.”
Become a Money in Your Pocket Volunteer
Help provide free tax preparation to low- and moderate-income families through the Money in Your Pocket (MIYP) program. You’ll help ensure working families in our community claim all available tax credits while saving them the cost of high tax preparation fees and refund anticipation loan interest rates.
No previous experience is required and training is provided. Volunteers are also needed to serve as greeters (no tax preparing required for this position). Scheduling is flexible with daytime, evening and Saturday opportunities available from late January through mid-April 2025.
For those interested in learning more, several virtual informational sessions will be held. Check out our MIYP Recruitment Flyer for more information, including a link to sign up for these sessions.
