Iglesia Nueva Vida Brings Free Tax Prep to Riverside

Iglesia Nueva Vida (INV) is redefining what community means in Riverside, emerging as a lifeline beyond the traditional role of a place of worship. From backpack drives to weekly food distributions, they understand the needs of their community and have an impressive record for launching transformative initiatives that connect individuals and families with the resources they need to build financial stability.

Perhaps their most audacious program was launched earlier this year when Iglesia Nueva Vida became a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) center. Through a connection with Golden State Opportunity’s Community Connect grantee, Eastmont Community Center, INV learned about free tax preparation and the California Earned Income Tax Credit that puts money directly back into the hands of working individuals.

Eastmont Community Center, based in Los Angeles, was doing satellite work in Riverside and knew there was a need for a locally-run free tax preparation center. INV and its core volunteers were the key to connecting individuals and families with financial resources like tax credits that put money directly back into the hands of working individuals.

Today, INV is the only English/Spanish VITA site in Riverside offering free tax preparation.

“We have an extraordinary group of dedicated volunteers. They saw a need in the community to help individuals who were expecting a tax refund while struggling to pay for a tax preparer, and they found a solution,” said Pastor Rogelio. “Our volunteers and the VITA program are the solution.”

“Our volunteers researched how to become IRS-certified to prepare and file taxes, they enrolled in the program, and today, INV has 15 IRS-certified VITA volunteers working to get money back in the hands of community members.”

With help and guidance from Eastmont, Iglesia Nueva Vida’s VITA program has had a profound impact on low-income Riverside families. Families and individuals can now breathe a sigh of relief with a FREE, IRS-authorized place to file their taxes. This VITA service addresses this community’s specific needs, literally and figuratively.