Tri Counties Bank Funds CAPK’s VITA Program in Kern County for $25,000

Tri Counties Bank announced a donation of $25,000 to the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK), which will fund the 2024 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in Kern County and place a VITA expert in two Tri Counties Bank branches during the 2024 tax season.

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Tri Counties Bank presents a $25,000 check to Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK), for the 2024 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Pictured in this image from left to right: Catherine Anspach, Director of Development at CAPK; Pritika Ram, Chief Business Development Officer at CAPK; Jacquelyn Guerra, Program Manager at CAPK; Elvia Hernandez, Branch Manager at Tri Counties Bank; Rose Pereirra, Community Development Officer at Tri Counties Bank, Freddy Hernandez, Director of Youth & Community Services for CAPK, and Sara Martinez, Business Development Manager at Tri Counties Bank (Photo: Business Wire)

“This partnership allows us to support underserved families in our community and provide them with the financial resources they need,” said Aytom Salomon, Senior Vice President and Market President of Tri Counties Bank’s Greater Bakersfield region.

The VITA program, which has been operated by the IRS for over 50 years, offers free tax help year-round to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:

• People who generally make $60,000 or less
• Persons with disabilities; and
• Non-English-speaking taxpayers

“Without the support of Tri Counties Bank, the VITA program would not be able to expand throughout the low-income communities of Kern County,” said Jacquelyn Guerra, VITA Program Manager for CAPK. “In 2022, VITA was able to assist over 6,500 families in free tax preparation and tax education. Through these free services, over $8.3 million in refunds have been issued to Kern County's low-to-moderate income residents.”

VITA sites are operated by IRS partners, such as CAPK, and staffed by volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. In partnership with CAPK, Tri Counties Bank is providing space* for VITA volunteers to provide tax service at two bank branches in 2024 from 11:30am – 5:00pm:

• In Delano at 500 Woollomes Avenue, Suite 101, on Jan. 25, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, March 7, March 21, and April 4.
• In Bakersfield at 4300 Coffee Road, Suite A6, on Feb. 1, Feb. 15, Feb. 29, March 14, March 28, and April 11.

The following services will be provided at each site: