Dane County Receives $55,000 Annual Federal Grant to Support Free Income Tax Site
November 14, 2023
Ariana Vruwink, 608-267-8823
County Executive, Extension
The Dane County Department of UW Extension has been awarded a multi-year grant of $55,000 annually in federal funding to support the Richard Dilley Tax Center, Executive Joe Parisi announced today. The Internal Revenue Service issued the grant to continue and expand free income tax preparation services for those with low to moderate incomes.
The Richard Dilley Tax Center has been in existence for 22 years, providing free tax preparation services for thousands of tax filers each year including low-income families, seniors, and those with disabilities. This Center is crucial to people who need their tax refunds to pay bills and meet current expenses. In 2023, more than 2,500 returns were filed resulting in $3.71 million in refunds to local tax payers.
“The Richard Dilley Tax Center is an important community resource, and we look forward to expanding its impact with the help of this IRS grant,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “Filing for all the credits available to someone can mean a few thousand extra dollars in their pockets. We appreciate all the volunteers who work to guide residents through the process each year to make sure they don’t miss out on a potential refund.”
The IRS VITA Grant Program objectives include extending services, increasing the number of returns that are E-filed, heightening quality control, enhancing training of volunteers, and ensuring accuracy of returns. To meet these objectives, a site coordinator and appointment scheduler will be hired by the County to expand services and improve the taxpayer experience.
The Richard Dilley Tax Center relies on more than 70 volunteers each year, including a volunteer site captain that has been with the Center since its beginning. This collaborative effort is possible through a partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and the UW Madison South Partnership Office. The Dane County UW-Extension Department is the lead partner providing coordination for the Richard Dilley Tax Center. In addition, Extension provides financial education to increase the capability of Dane County residents to achieve their financial goals and manage their money through evidence-based classes and workshops, individual coaching, and referrals to community services.
The Center is located in the UW-Madison South Partnership office at 2238 South Park St. in Madison from the end of January through mid-April each year. To learn more about the Center visit: https://dane.extension.wisc.edu/the-richard-dilley-tax-center/