Pio Decimo Center, an agency of Catholic Community Services and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), are looking for community volunteers from throughout Tucson to provide free tax preparation services to residents of Green Valley and the Tucson metropolitan area of Pima County.
Tax volunteers do not need prior experience. Materials and tax instruction are provided at no cost. Volunteers learn how to electronically file tax returns, both federal and state, using IRS tax preparation software.
Volunteers are asked to provide tax help four to five hours a week, from mid-January to mid-April, 2012.
IRS-trained and certified community volunteers provide free tax help to their neighbors and other area residents who cannot afford to pay for tax help.
"Tax volunteers will help low- to moderate-income families, seniors, people with disabilities and those with English as a second language prepare and electronically file their federal and state income tax returns free of charge," said Liz Thomey, program director, Pio Decimo Center.
This is a win-win situation with volunteers being able to put something back into their community while helping others meet their annual filing requirement and perhaps obtain a tax refund.
"For example, working families earning $50,000 or less may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, which could generate a refund of up to $5,751. It is a very effective way to help low-income families and strengthen the community at the same time," said Thomey.
Additional community volunteers are needed as Spanish language interpreters, "greeters" to assist with screening clients to make sure they have their tax information in order, and asset development specialists to help families gain access to banking opportunities, community resources and other service.
Training is available for each of these positions. Training begins in mid-December.
For more information about becoming a community tax volunteer, contact Rita Camacho at 622-2801, ext. 127, or by email at rcamacho@piodecimocenter.org.
