Local agencies that provide free tax-preparation help to lower-income taxpayers are looking for volunteers.
The IRS-backed Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, led locally by the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, Catholic Community Services and other agencies, needs volunteers to help run its free tax-prep clinics.
And the AARP Foundation also needs volunteers for its Tax-Aide program, which offers free tax assistance with a special focus on taxpayers 60 and older.
Though experienced tax pros are welcome, the agencies say they need to fill other positions, such as greeters, that don’t require tax expertise. And both organizations also train and certify volunteers with basic computer skills to prepare and electronically file simple, non-business tax returns.
“There is a role for anyone who is interested, who wants to help and give back to their community,” IRS Arizona spokesman Bill Brunson said.
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VITA
The VITA tax-help sites are generally open from Jan. 15 through April 15 on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis. The program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English-speaking taxpayers.
Liz Thomey of Catholic Community Services’ Pio Decimo Center said the agency needs volunteers to help prepare taxes for low-income families, seniors, and clients who speak English as a second language. No experience is necessary; however, basic computer skills are preferred, Thomey said.
Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one shift, generally 4 to 5 hours, each week.
Volunteer training for the VITA program will be held from 9 to 4 p.m. over three Saturdays, on Jan. 9, 16 and 23, at Brown Mackie College, 4585 E. Speedway. Volunteers must attend all three days. To register, contact Rita at 622-2801, extension 7105.
Online training is also available for those who have scheduling conflicts, Thomey said.
Together with the United Way of Yuma County, United Way of Pinal County, United Way of Northern Arizona and the Tohono O’odham Nation, the VITA program led by the United Way serves 10 of Arizona’s 15 counties, accounting for more than 14,000 completed tax returns in 2014.
AARP TAX-AIDE
Nationally, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has grown from four volunteers in 1968 to more than 35,000 volunteers at over 5,000 sites in 2015 serving 2.6 million people with free tax help.
AARP Tax-Aide sites generally are open from late January or early February to April 15.
For more information on becoming a Tax Aide volunteer, see www.aarp.org/taxaide.
