The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga needs volunteers for its annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which assists individuals earning $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need help preparing tax returns.
Volunteers will be trained and certified for preparing federal income tax returns. No prior experience or knowledge of filing taxes is necessary. However, basic computer skills for inputting tax return information are required.
“VITA helps residents in Chattanooga and the surrounding areas who might have difficulty navigating the complex tax preparation process,” says Val Palmer, VITA coordinator. “Dedicated volunteers are essential to the success of this initiative and to those in need of assistance with their taxes.”
Volunteers will participate in a four-day, in-person training course on the topics of tax law, tax return preparation and tax preparation software.
This training will be followed by an online course.
Volunteers will then be tested to become certified tax preparers.
Upon certification, volunteers will work at recreation facilities, universities, libraries, shopping malls and community centers during the program, which will begin mid-January and conclude April 15, 2020. Volunteer schedules are flexible, but a minimum of four hours per week is required.
The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga completed more than 13,500 VITA returns for individuals throughout the area during the last tax season, saving taxpayers $4.4 million.
Training sessions will be held at the Urban League, 730 E. M.L. King Blvd., on the following dates:
Oct. 21-24 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Oct. 28-31 from 5:30-9 p.m.
Nov. 11-14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 18-21 from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
To volunteer, visit www.ulchatt.net/VITA or email vpalmer@epbfi.com.
Source: Urban League