We are proud to share that Pars Equality Center continues to serve as an official IRS VITA site, offering free tax preparation services to low-income individuals and families across our San Jose and Los Angeles offices. The VITA program, established by the IRS, provides free tax return preparation to individuals who generally earn $64,000 or less per year.
During the 2024 tax season, from February to April, the Pars Equality Center assisted 431 clients, ensuring that those in need received accurate, reliable, and culturally appropriate tax support at no cost. This work not only helps families access the refunds and credits they are entitled to, but also supports financial stability within our community.
One recent success story involves an Afghan family who had recently arrived in the U.S. and paid a private company last year to prepare their taxes, unaware that free services were available. When they came to Pars this year, our team filed their taxes at no cost, informed them about the Child Tax Credit, and helped them secure a substantial refund that was used to cover school expenses for their children.
We are deeply grateful to our dedicated staff and volunteers for making this possible, and to you, our community, for your continued support.