By Amber Cox
FLORENCE TOWNSHIP Low- and moderate-income area residents will get help filing their 2010 income taxes starting in February at the Florence Township library thanks to Michael Sawka of Roebling.
Mr. Sawka, 40, volunteered to start the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and met with the Township Council in July to prepare for the project.
The program is aimed at low- to moderate-income people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Typically people who make less than $50,000 are offered help.
“The mayor and council authorized the program and we had to wait for approval from the library to use the building,” said Thomas Sahol, assistant township administrator. “Our biggest concern is the community and the people getting their taxes done.”
The library, a branch of the Burlington County Library System, is at 1350 Hornberger Avenue.
Mr. Sawka has been working for the IRS program for a total of five years and began assisting when he was in the Navy.
He is now a part-time student at Rutgers-Camden School of Law and continued his work for the IRS program. He has been at the school for three years and started as a coordinator. After graduation Mr. Sawka wants to continue the IRS program, bringing it to Florence.
“It’s the governing bodies opinion and my opinion that the community be able to utilize a municipal building,” Mr. Sahol said. “I think it’s important that we spotlight the fact that the library is there. The library does a lot of great things for the community, they have events for kids, and now another program for the community.”
However, the program is not limited to residents of Florence.
“Anybody can come,” Mr. Sawka said. “You don’t have to live in Florence.”
Currently, Mr. Sawka is looking for volunteers for the program. Those willing to volunteer don’t need prior experience in preparing tax returns.
“Volunteers don’t have to have any knowledge,” Mr. Sawka said. “Volunteers need to be at least 18 years old, so even some high school seniors that will be 18 by mid-
February can volunteer if they desire. Volunteers complete an online training through the IRS and then there is another training at the library.”
The training is going to be held at the library in January. According to the IRS website, “Certified volunteers sponsored by various organizations receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country.”
“We will complete federal and New Jersey state tax returns for free and will e-file both federal and state tax returns for free which will allow people to receive their refunds in about two weeks if there are no problems with their tax return,” Mr. Sawka said.
Mr. Sawka plans to e-file everything making it crucial that all of the information is correct. E-filing allows for quicker processing and a quicker return. He has found that the biggest issue people have when filing is not having the correct information or all of the information required.
“I like the VITA program because it helps people file their taxes without having to cost them anything out of pocket,” Mr. Sawka said. “We only complete basic, simple, tax returns and we e-
file all of them unless there is an issue that does not allow e-
filing such as the homebuyer credit last year which required a mailed in tax return. With e-filing, it only takes about two weeks to get your refund if you choose direct deposit.”
“In reality, we can prepare a tax return for a household with an income of $100,000,” Mr. Sawka said. “We won’t turn away people who are just over the $50,000 mark.”
Mr. Sawka quickly began work on the program after his move to the area in March. He enjoys working with the program because he feels that he is helping people by making their lives easier when tax season comes.
“People shouldn’t have to pay to file simple returns and when I say simple, it isn’t always simple to figure out how to complete your federal and especially New Jersey state, which in some aspects are more confusing than the federal tax forms,” he said. “At the same time, I am sometimes able to help them for the next year by advising them that they should change their W-4 form with their employer because they aren’t having enough money taken out and that is why they end up owing money.”
Mr. Sawka is also able to help explain some of the tax rules that people might not understand.
“Most people are just happy to get their taxes completed for free,” he said. “I also hope to keep people away from falling for those tax loans that have a very high interest rate and fees.”
It is important for each person in the household to be accounted for when filing the tax returns. The volunteers must have all of the information before they allow someone to claim a dependent.
“We need everyone’s Social Security card or number,” Mr. Sawka said. “We also need the W-2s, this year’s and preferably last year’s.”
According to the IRS website filers are asked to bring: “proof of identification; Social Security card for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration; birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return; current year’s tax package if you received one; wage and earning statement(s) Form W-
2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers; interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099); a copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available; bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit; total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number (the provider’s Social Security number or the provider’s business Employer Identification Number); to file taxes electronically on a married-
filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.”
Anyone interested in being a volunteer can contact Florence Township at 609-499-2525.

