Since 2006, White Earth Investment Initiative has hosted a free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site at the Shooting Star Casino where taxpayers can have their returns prepared at no charge by trained community volunteers. In 2021, WEII’s VITA sites prepared more than 500 federal returns and facilitated the return of more than $1 million to the community by way of federal tax refunds in addition to collectively saving taxpayers more than $130,000 in tax preparation fees. In addition to operating its site at the Shooting Star Casino, WEII also operated tax sites in Pine Point and at Boys & Girls Club in Detroit Lakes.
Community volunteers are key to the success of the VITA program. Volunteers help low- and moderate-income community members meet their tax obligations quickly and easily. Many VITA clients qualify for important tax credits – such as the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit – as well as the Minnesota Working Family Tax Credit and K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit. Tax filers may also be eligible for federal educational tax credits like the American Opportunity Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit. VITA volunteers strive to ensure taxpayers receive all the credits they are eligible for.
White Earth Investment Initiative is seeking new community members to assist with tax preparation in 2022 at its locations in Mahnomen, Pine Point, and Detroit Lakes. After receiving specialized tax training, volunteers work directly with community members to complete tax returns accurately and confidentially. All training is provided by WEII. In addition, tax volunteers receive reimbursement for mileage to training and the tax sites.
“The tax returns prepared at our sites are not complex, so volunteers do not need to have any prior tax knowledge or training. Our staff provides thorough training and is always present at the tax sites to offer support when volunteers have questions. Our volunteers have a lot of fun and have an enormous impact in our communities,” said Sue Trnka, Community Services Coordinator for WEII.
Training dates have not yet been scheduled, but WEII anticipates offering in-person and virtual training beginning in early December.
The tax site is a service of the White Earth Investment Initiative and is made possible by Shooting Star Casino, Hotel & Event Center, Pine Point Community Council, Boys & Girls Club of Detroit Lakes, Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation, the Internal Revenue Service, Minnesota Department of Revenue, Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, and Wells Fargo. WEII is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
