2024 Texas Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Conference

On June 13 & 14, RAISE Texas convened 87 VITA leaders from 46 Texas VITA programs to share best practices, challenges, and ideas. 

In addition to opportunities to learn from peers and national experts, the conference included a tour of and deep dive into the operations and success of the Neighborhood Tax Centers program at BakerRipley, the largest VITA program in the country.

VITA programs from across the state reported that they made new connections and learned concrete ways to grow and strengthen their VITA services.

2024 VITA Presentations (* = slides)

Building a Stronger Financial Future: How IRS Direct File and the Inflation Reduction Act Benefit Texans
Rebecca Thompson, Senior Advisor, IRA Program Office, U.S. Dept. of Treasury
Ronald Newman, Senior Advisor, IRA Program Office, U.S. Dept. of Treasury

Emerging Issues in Low Income Taxpayer Clinics*
Mandi Matlock, JD, Staff Attorney, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

How Harris County Supports and Benefits from VITA
Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia

Skill-Building Sessions: 

Tax Credit Messaging: Pitching Strategies for Local VITA Funding and Peer Feedback*
Jenna Severson, Senior Communications Strategist, Economic Security Project

Mastering ITIN Applications: Everything You Need to Know* 
Janet Herrgesell, Certifying Acceptance Agent and Senior Tax Program Manager, Foundation Communities 

Wellness in the Trenches: Self-Care Strategies During Tax Season 
Nicole Milton, Training Manager, Mental Health America of Greater Houston 

Mastering Seasonal Staffing: Hiring & Internship Strategies* 
Ariel Carballo Jones, and Markitha Labbe, Talent Management, BakerRipley Raymond Nguyen, Director, BakerRipley Neighborhood Tax Centers

Thank you to JPMorgan Chase for supporting RAISE Texas and our work to increase access to valuable tax credits and free tax preparation services.