United Way VITA Program

And though the United Way VITA program will be underway for more than a month it had people hustling in hopes of getting their tax refund in return.

People are taking a trip to the mall, and it's not to go shopping.

It's in hopes of getting a little cash back.

Through the United Qay's VITA, or "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, people with an income of 51 thousand dollars or less are getting the chance to file their taxes for free.

And this year the program is attracting an even bigger crowd.

"I didn't really struggle, you know but the way the economy is now, and I reached out to them and now why not use it." said Mark Chavez, a Wichita Falls resident.

He says in previous years he'd go to different agencies, and pay up to 300 dollars.

But this year, he gets to keep that money.

"Times have been hard for a lot of people and so now I look at this program and think it helps everybody out," he said.

"It saves people about 250 dollars in tax prepared fees. And very often that is somebody's refund," said Lana Winfrey the United Way Director of Income.

Refunds, that more than 23 hundred people received through the program last year.

But program organizers say this year they're already lined up to make an even bigger impact.

Within the first 2 hours of opening at Sikes Senter Mall, United Way officials say they filed 100 tax returns.

And this year, they're offering something new.

Customers can utilize the United Way's VITA program from the comfort of their own home.

The the non-profit organization's online tax preparing service.

It's for those with an annual household income of 57 thousand dollars or less.

Go to myfreetaxes.com/texoma

The United Way's free income tax service is available through April 15th.

And here's a look at the hours.

Tax refunds are prepared at Sikes Senter Mall on Saturdays from 9 to 5 and on Tuesday and Thursdays from 5 to 7.

Taxes are also prepared at offices at the Martin Luther King Junior Center and the Hub in east Wichita Falls, as well as in Burkburnett... Iowa Park and Henrietta

To schedule an appointment at any of these location call the United Way's 211 help line weekdays from 8:30 to 5.