United Way Looking For Volunteer Tax Preparers

Here’s a way to make a difference at tax time – volunteer to become a tax preparer and you can help working families get back the money they’ve earned. Free tax preparation services are available during the tax season through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) to ensure that working families and individuals are filing for the tax credits they have earned. It can also help people save up to $150 in tax preparation fees. 

In 2010, local VITA sites helped 211 residents of Middlesex County file their taxes for free. Those who qualified for refunds or tax credits received an average of $1,898 back. The total amounted to $362,540 – that’s money getting back into the hands of working people who have earned it. Of those served, there were an additional 113 dependents, mostly children, who were impacted by the program.

The program is looking for volunteers at the VITA sites located in downtown Middletown to provide free basic tax preparation for eligible taxpayers from January 22 – April 12, 2011. Volunteers should be available to help 4 hours per week, during the evening or on Saturdays during this time period.

Volunteers must complete a training and be certified by the IRS. The training will be held from January 3-6 and 10-13, 2011 in the evening. Volunteers must attend 4 consecutive sessions. You will be trained to let filers know if they qualify for additional tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. Anyone with an income below $50,000 is eligible to make an appointment for this free service.

Volunteer qualifications are: basic computer skills for inputting tax return information; knowledge of the most elementary tax forms in helpful; ability to deal with the public in a helpful and supportive manner; be friendly, dependable, and flexible. Basic tax training, interviewing skills training, and certification will be provided. No accounting experience necessary.

Volunteer tasks include:

·       Attend basic and/or refresher tax law training and certification on either January 3-6 or January 10-13, 2011. Instruction on the use of tax preparation and electronic filing software is included.

·       Successfully pass a test on required tax law knowledge. Online practice sessions available as preparation.

·       Interview clients to determine that all income, deductions, and allowable credits are claimed.

·       Enter information in the computer software program. All the math calculations are done by the software.

·       Maintain confidentiality of all client information.

For more information or to sign up contact David Morgan at dmorgan@wesleyan.edu or (860) 346-1522.

VITA is a free program offered by the federal government. The local Middletown VITA sites are coordinated by Middlesex United Way and the Middlesex VITA Coalition.