The United Way of Southwest Michigan is drawing attention to its tax preparation service now that another tax season has passed.

The United Way’s Zack East tells us looking at the results of the most recent Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, or VITA, the organization has seen it make quite a difference. VITA keeps its volunteers busy.

“There were 45 plus volunteers that went out across months worth of dates in sites at South Haven, Paw Paw, Niles, Stevensville, Benton Harbor, Dowagiac, and Cassopolis to prepare income taxes for 1,100 clients that were served in southwest Michigan this year,” East said.

And the results?

“That brought back $1.3 million to the local economy, just from the VITA program. Just from the VITA program. That’s it.”

East said the VITA program is intended to help those tax filers with middle or lower incomes ensure they get all of the tax credits they’re entitled to. The VITA Program offers free tax help to people who make $67,000 or less, living in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties.

This year in Southwest Michigan, the volunteers spent more than 2,000 hours of service to help those using the VITA program, which equates to a time value of more than $362,000.