VITA Volunteers Help Atlanta Families File Taxes for Free

Ebenezer Baptist Church site coordinator leads team of IRS-trained volunteers assisting low-income residents

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Volunteers are helping families in Atlanta file their taxes for free at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site located inside Ebenezer Baptist Church. The site is led by coordinator Joyce McClendon, who has overseen the location for 11 years. The VITA program, supported by United Way of Greater Atlanta, helped return millions of dollars to eligible taxpayers across the metro area last year by providing free tax preparation services to residents making less than $69,000 annually.

Why it matters

The VITA program plays a crucial role in supporting low-income Atlanta families by helping them access tax refunds and avoid costly tax preparation fees. The volunteers who staff the sites are the backbone of the program, providing a vital community service.

The details

At the Ebenezer Baptist Church VITA site, IRS-trained volunteers work one-on-one with families to ensure their taxes are filed correctly and they receive the maximum refund. Site coordinator Joyce McClendon oversees the operation, making sure participants have everything they need. The United Way of Greater Atlanta says the VITA program helped return $1.8 million to the community last year.

  • The Ebenezer Baptist Church VITA site has been operating for 11 years.
  • The 2026 tax filing season is currently underway.

The players

Joyce McClendon

The site coordinator for the Ebenezer Baptist Church VITA tax site, who has led the location for 11 years.

Kenneth Palmer

The acting executive director of the Martin Luther King Sr. Community Resource Collaborative, which oversees VITA sites across metro Atlanta.

United Way of Greater Atlanta

The organization that supports the VITA program, which helped return $1.8 million to the community last year.

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What they’re saying

“For me, it's a give back. It's a ministry. I just love being able to help people make sure they're getting their money.”

— Joyce McClendon, Site coordinator, Ebenezer Baptist Church VITA tax site

“The volunteers are what make us go round. Without them, we couldn't get the job done.”

— Kenneth Palmer, Acting executive director, Martin Luther King Sr. Community Resource Collaborative

What’s next

VITA sites across metro Atlanta will continue offering free tax preparation services to eligible residents throughout the 2026 filing season.

The takeaway

The VITA program's network of dedicated volunteers plays a vital role in supporting low-income Atlanta families by helping them access tax refunds and avoid costly preparation fees, demonstrating the power of community-driven initiatives to make a tangible difference.