Tax Preparation Volunteers Needed!
Are you looking for a volunteer experience where you can make an immediate and measureable difference in someone’s life?
The United Way of Allegheny County and the Money In Your Pocket Coalition need your help this tax season to provide free tax preparation assistance for low-income individuals and families in Allegheny County.
Over the past three years, 242 students, professionals, and retirees dedicated over 11,000 hours to serve our neighbors in need. In just three tax seasons, volunteers prepared 14,756 tax returns and helped return $23.7 million in tax refunds back to local residents, including $9.2 million in Earned Income Tax Credits.
For the taxpayers served, these tax refunds helped put food on the table, pay off debt, make rent or mortgage payments, and pay for heat and electricity during Pittsburgh’s winter months.
I am writing to you today to ask you to consider volunteering this year.
Learn more about the free tax campaign at http://www.pghfreetaxes.org.
Would I be a great tax preparation volunteer?
If you have experience doing your own tax returns (or just want to learn), we need you! Tax preparation volunteers make a three hour a week commitment for the tax season, have basic computer skills, enjoy working with others, and successfully complete tax training and IRS certification (provided by the MIYP Coalition free of charge).
Training:
For 2012, we are offering a variety of training options. In general, new volunteers complete 16 hours of training. This year, volunteers with accounting experience and some student volunteers may be eligible for Fast Track trainings which require some advance self-study. We have also added some evening training for basic federal tax law. Once you have confirmed your commitment to a tax site, we will work with you to register you for the training that best suits your experience level and schedule.
Also new in 2012 – CPE credits can be awarded for CPA’s who complete training and volunteer at least 15 hours at their tax site. Be sure to indicate your interest in learning more about receiving these credits by checking the Continuing Education box on your application.
Time commitment:
Your short-term time commitment is 3 or more hours per week from January-April. Scheduling is easy, and includes daytime, evening, or weekend hours.
Free Tax Site Locations:
Downtown
East End
Lawrenceville/ Sharpsburg
Monroeville/ Mon Valley
Natrona Heights
Northside/ North Hills
Oakland / Hill District
South Side
West End
We hope you will join us for the 2012 tax season, and ask that you:
• Fill out and save the attached volunteer application (or visit us at www.pghfreetaxes.com to download the form)
• Email it back to us as an attachment at freetaxes@uwac.org
• Or print it out and fax it to us at 412.456.6893
When we receive your application, we’ll introduce you to a tax site and get you ready to schedule your training. Please return your completed application by December 31, 2011.
If you have questions or need more information, email us at freetaxes@uwac.org or call 412.456.6785.
Please pass this message along to your contacts and networks!
The Money In Your Pocket Coalition includes Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, Community Human Services, Family Resources, Garfield Jubilee, Goodwill of Southwestern PA, Just Harvest Education Fund, YMCA Hazelwood, the Internal Revenue Service, and United Way of Allegheny County.
Thanks so much for your support!