The Internal Revenue Service is seeking volunteers for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.
During the tax-filing season, VITA and TCE volunteers in community locations help fill out tax returns for older taxpayers, people with disabilities, non-English-speaking and other people who cannot afford professional assistance. The IRS provides VITA and TCE volunteers with free instruction and all the materials needed to prepare basic income tax returns such as forms 1040EZ, 1040A and 1040.
Volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds, including homemakers, members of professional organizations, college students, law and accounting students, and members of volunteer or community organizations. Although an accounting background is helpful, it is not required, but basic computer skills are a plus.
Volunteers are also needed to help in other aspects of the VITA and TCE programs, such as organizing sites, instructing classes, reviewing returns prepared at the sites, and publicity. Local civic and fraternal organizations, educational institutions, churches and social groups can also sponsor VITA and TCE programs. Tax assistance generally is provided at schools, churches, malls, libraries and other convenient neighborhood locations.
For more information, call Stephen M. Savage, (973) 645-3853; send a fax to (973) 645-6691; or send an e-mail to [email protected].