Sept. 16, 2009
Volunteers needed for tax season
CHANDLER, Ariz. – Training sessions will begin soon for people interested in volunteering for Chandler’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, and the City is making it easy to sign-up by posting an online application on the City’s Web site.
Volunteer tax preparers, translators, screeners and greeters are needed to assist low and moderate income working families with their state and federal income tax returns. Nearly 700 families received help last year, claiming over $1 million in refunds.
Volunteers participate in a short training session, in class or through self-study, then are tested on what they learned. Once certified, volunteers are asked to donate a minimum of four hours a week helping at a Chandler VITA site between February and mid-April.
Chandler is making a special appeal for VITA volunteers in order to aid its residents in filing the tax forms necessary to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is a tax benefit for low to moderate income families that goes unclaimed by hundreds of working residents each year. To receive the benefit, individuals must file a federal income tax return, even if their income is below the filing requirement.
For more information about becoming a VITA volunteer, contact Stefanie Garcia at 480-782-4349. |