VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP WITH TAX PREPARATION PROGRAM
Individuals are needed as volunteers to assist with providing free tax preparation for the upcoming tax season. United Way of Southwest Louisiana is looking for individuals to join their volunteer team as an Internal Revenue Service-certified volunteer tax preparer. The United Way partners and coordinates the SWLA Asset Building Coalition that is comprised of local agencies and organizations who collaborate to provide access to programs that seek to improve and build financial literacy and sustainability skills of residents in SWLA. The United Way and its partners are reaching out to enlist volunteers who can help them provide this free service to hundreds of SWLA residents to help them file their tax forms and take advantage of credits for which they may be eligible.
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program provides free tax preparation services for low-income individuals and families. "This free service is having a tremendous impact on SWLA,” says Denise Durel, President and CEO of United Way of SWLA. "The VITA program benefits families in SWLA by giving them an opportunity to get their taxes done for free, and get the credits they deserve, and in these tough economic times, every dollar counts.” VITA is a partnership between the IRS, United Way of SWLA, City of Lake Charles, McNeese State University, as well as other members of the SWLA Asset Building Coalition.
No experience is necessary to become a volunteer tax preparer. Volunteers will need to complete an online IRS course to obtain certification in basic tax preparation. The more volunteers enlisted and certified in the program, the more individuals and families can be helped to get their tax forms prepared
There are a number of sites that will be providing tax preparation services. For more information and to sign up, call 337/433-1088, Ext. 11.
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