San Benito County’s Community Services and Workforce Development received nearly $60,000 to help fund volunteer income tax assistance programs. It is seeking volunteers to help with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs.
The VITA program offers free tax help to people who generally make $52,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.
For the past two years CSWD has partnered with VITA to provide services to San Benito County residents. Services have been offered at their primary locations: CSWD at 1111 San Felipe Road, Suite 108 in Hollister; at the Community Food Bank at 1133 San Felipe Road in Hollister, as well as ad-hoc sites. This grant will allow for additional sites throughout the community and may include sites in Aromas, Piacines and Panoche.
In 2013 VITA volunteers processed a total of $152,722.00 in tax returns and $614,996 in tax returns.
How can you make a difference?
Help your community in preparing taxes free of charge by becoming a volunteer with the VITA or TCE programs. Volunteers will receive training to provide free tax help for low-to-moderate income families who need assistance preparing their tax returns.
How does this program work?
Tax volunteers will be assigned to work with a sponsoring organization, first to receive training and then to begin volunteering at a location in their community. Training is offered both online and in the classroom. Tax sites are generally open nights and weekends and the hours are flexible.
For more information, submit your contact information using the VITA/TCE Volunteer Sign Up – Form 14310. Also include the city and state where you want to become a volunteer. Your information will be forwarded to the sponsoring organizations in your area for further contact. Local contact is MaryAnne Hughes at maryanne@communityfoodbankofsbc.org.
Submit your inquiry by email to TaxVolunteer@irs.gov to become a volunteer.