For Details, Contact:
External Affairs
email: pacamail@ncua.gov
Fax: (703) 518-6409

Board Member Hyland Introduces NCUA-IRS VITA Program Webcast

Government partnership highlights credit union VITA program

Alexandria, Va., December 5, 2007 -- National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Board Member Gigi Hyland followed an Access Across America program, which included a panel on Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), she hosted in March 2007 with a collaborative NCUA, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) webcast in November. The webcast focused on credit union opportunities to provide free tax preparation service for members.

“Providing free tax preparation enhances credit unions’ ability to connect with their communities and provides a vital service to the members,” Board Member Gigi Hyland said introducing the webcast speakers. “What’s more, the VITA program provides credit unions access to a network of national organizations, 325 community coalitions and the IRS. This webcast offers credit unions the chance to learn from the experts about the VITA program and these partnership opportunities. Future NCUA webcasts will focus on ways to establish a VITA website and additional opportunities to partner with other government agencies.” 

The NCUA-IRS webcast features speakers from the IRS and two credit unions, actively involved in the VITA program, presenting information regarding VITA and partnerships with community coalitions. Currently, nearly 200 credit unions are involved in the VITA program and related coalition outreach efforts.

Both the webcast and the Access Across America VITA program are available online at http://www.ncua.gov/NCUABoard/BoardMembers/Hyland/Presentations.htm.

For additional information regarding the VITA program and other partnership opportunities, visit NCUA’s Resource Connection at http://www.ncua.gov/ResourceConnection/Index.html, or contact the NCUA Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives at 703-518-6610.  

The National Credit Union Administration is the federal agency that charters and supervises federal credit unions. NCUA, with the backing of the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, also operates the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. NCUA is supported by credit unions, not federal tax dollars.