The Office of Financial Empowerment and Community Wealth is a dedicated division of government that champions personal financial stability programs and policy priorities, such as one-on-one financial counseling and safe banking.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance - Volunteers Needed
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax preparation services for low- to moderate-income households through IRS trained and certified volunteers. VITA provides taxpayers the opportunity to maximize their potential refund by removing the tax filing fee and ensuring they receive tax credits for which they are eligible such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). The City of Tulsa’s Office of Financial Empowerment and Community Wealth partners with Goodwill Industries of Tulsa and Tulsa Responds to administer VITA in Tulsa.
This vital service to our community is only possible through the dedication of volunteers like you. As a volunteer Tax Preparer, you will receive free training and certification through the IRS. No experience is necessary! You will receive ample training and have support at the tax sites to help when questions arise. This opportunity allows you to help fellow Tulsans while also building your skills.
The VITA team will work with each volunteer to select a tax site location and schedule that works best for their individual situation. For tax appointments and staffing, we do ask that volunteers be able to commit to a consistent schedule for the full tax season from February 1 – April 15. Tax site are located throughout the Tulsa area with flexible hours including days, evenings, weekends, and virtual options to fit your busy schedule.
Training begins in November and runs through January, so sign up today! Fill out the interest form and someone on the team will reach out to give you more information.
Student Loan Repayment Informational Resources
Student Loan Repayment Workshop Video - September 2023
Getting Ready for Student Loan Payments to Restart
Income-Driven Repayment Account Adjustment
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Saving on a Valuable Education Repayment Plan
The office is a direct result of the City's participation in the national nonprofit organization the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund’s (CFE Fund’s) Financial Empowerment City initiative.
Tulsa is one of six municipal governments chosen for this inaugural cohort of Financial Empowerment Cities, and will receive extensive training and technical assistance over two years to create an Office of Financial Empowerment and Community Wealth that institutionalizes local financial stability programming and policy efforts in the City of Tulsa.
The CFE Fund’s Financial Empowerment Cities (FE Cities) initiative helps municipal partners institutionalize and catalyze financial stability efforts through the formal launch of an Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE), led by local leaders trained as National OFE Leaders. The country’s first wave of Offices of Financial Empowerment - such as in New York City, San Francisco, Denver, Lansing, and St. Paul - have created vibrant opportunities locally.
In addition to conceiving of, resourcing, and running large scale programs like Financial Empowerment Centers, Bank On coalitions, child savings programs, and consumer financial protection programs, these OFEs also have been positioned within their administrations to play key roles in financial justice efforts, emergency services, and more.
Guided by the CFE Fund, FE Cities cohort partners will incorporate key lessons learned from these pathbreaking cities into their vision and strategy for creating an OFE that has meaningful impact on the financial stability of its residents.
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