Opportunities are now available for volunteers to assist elderly and low-to-moderate income residents by becoming an official volunteer tax preparer through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
A no-obligation informational coffee to learn about the program has been scheduled for 9 am at the United Way office, 951 Eastport Centre Dr., Monday, December 5. This coffee will briefly outline the VITA program which provides free tax return preparation assistance to low-to-moderate income taxpayers, seniors, people with disabilities and non-English speakers. Due to limited space an RSVP is required to (219)464-3583.
Here are five things you need to know about becoming a VITA volunteer:
- No previous experience is required. Volunteers receive specialized training from VITA volunteers and can serve as greeters, reviewers or tax preparers.
- IRS provides free tax law training, e-file training and all the materials needed to prepare basic individual income tax returns.
- The hours are flexible. Volunteers are asked to serve an average of three to four hours per week from mid-January through the tax deadline which is April 17, 2012.
- Volunteer site in Porter County is at the United Way offices, across from the Valparaiso Ivy Tech campus.
- Returns are prepared on supplied computers using web-based software supplied by the IRS.