[ShareTompkins] Fwd: Volunteer Income Tax Prep

[Shira Evergreen]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Brian Zapf <BZapf at alternatives.org>
> Subject: Volunteer Income Tax Prep
> Date: December 1, 2015 10:36:28 AM EST
> To: "TC-HSC-L at cornell.edu" <TC-HSC-L at cornell.edu>
> Reply-To: Brian Zapf <BZapf at alternatives.org>
> 
> Alternatives Federal Credit Union's upcoming free tax preparation program is looking for volunteers.
>  
> From January through April, Alternatives hosts a free tax preparation program, or VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site. VITA serves low- and moderate-income taxpayers, regardless of whether they're members of Alternatives. As a VITA volunteer, you will learn valuable skills, make a marked difference in people’s lives, and volunteer in a positive, well-managed environment. No prior experience is necessary: just a desire to learn how to prepare tax returns, help taxpayers access financial opportunities, or assist with the operation of the site. This volunteer opportunity is a great match for anyone interested in tax law, accounting, business, economics, social justice, community development, public policy, or counseling. Last year, our volunteers prepared over 2,300 returns, resulting in over $4 million in refunds! There are many work supports, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), that help working families afford food, rent, education, and now health care, that are only accessible if you file a proper tax return.  Given the complexities, it is impossible for anyone to file a proper tax return without extensive computer skills or by paying a disproportionately high fee to professional preparers.  That’s where you come in.
>  
> Every year we recruit and train community volunteers to help our clients prepare proper tax returns.  I have many volunteers who return every year, but I always need more – both to expand the program and to replace retiring volunteers.  We think we've got one of the best volunteer gigs in town. Volunteers are never bored, you learn things about taxes that you can use for yourself, we have a well-managed operation, and every hour of work you put in makes a real, measurable, and evident difference in the lives of the people we're working with.
>  
> The tax season runs from mid-January through April 15th.  The downtown site hours are 10am to 1pm on Tuesday, 3pm-8pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 10-2 on Saturday. The 3-8 time slot is broken up into an afternoon and an evening shift.  Volunteers are asked to work an average of 3 or more hours per week. We also have satellite sites in Dryden, Brooktondale, Groton, and Newfield.
>  
> To get involved, you should fill out the short application form athttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Y9j2cNIyRpjMo_32waAalLIKdgwySPopOOoVGOk-kCw/viewform
> Training starts soon.
>  
> BZ
> 
>  
>  
>  
> ===---==---==---===<<<>>>===---==---==---===
> Brian Zapf
> Community Tax Program Director
> Alternatives Federal Credit Union
> 125 North Fulton Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
> 607-216-3459    607-273-4611
> FAX# 607-277-6391
> bzapf at alternatives.org      www.alternatives.org
> ===---==---==---===<<<>>>===---==---==---===
>  
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