Volunteers needed to help with tax preparation for low-income residents in January and February
United Way news release
December 12, 2008
From greeters and childcare to intake and tax preparation, the Gateway EITC Community Coalition needs volunteers to help in late January through February 2009.
The purpose of the Coalition is to offer free Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) preparation and education to low income residents in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Greeter, intake and tax preparer volunteers must attend one certification training in order to help. You must register for the trainings in advance.
To find out more about the opportunities and the certification, please contact United Way at 2-1-1 or 1-800-427-4626. Most trainings take place on the Saturdays of January 10, 17 and 24 in South St. Louis City or Wellston. Tax preparation days start January 31 and continue until the end of February.
Greeters are expected to talk with a variety of people and ensuring the taxpayer has all the necessary information with him or her to have their return completed. This position is asking for a 16 hour volunteer time commitment that includes one 4-hour training and at least two 6-hour Saturdays in January and/or February.
Child care volunteers are needed to care for children while parents get their tax returns prepared. This position is asking for a 16 hour volunteer time commitment that includes two 8-hour Saturdays in January and/or February.
Intake volunteers will assist the taxpayer in completing the interview sheet and transfer the paperwork to a tax preparer. This position is asking for a 24 hour volunteer time commitment that includes one 12-hour tax law training and at least two 6-hour Saturdays in January and/or February.
Tax preparers will prepare federal and state tax returns electronically. People with some tax knowledge and computer skills are helpful. This position is asking for a 24 hour volunteer time commitment that includes one 12-hour tax law training and at least two 6-hour Saturdays in January and/or February.
Through past volunteer efforts, the Gateway Community Coalition has substantially increased the monetary impact to individuals and the community by helping to bring back nearly $1.3 million in refunds for the 2005 tax year and more than $1.548 million for the 2006 tax year.
The IRS estimates that 58 percent of low-to-moderate income families or working poor in this community pay an average of $267 for tax preparation, refund anticipation loans, electronic filing fees and check cashing fees. This results in an additional combined financial drain of more than $30 million for these local families.
GECC is a public/private partnership working to bring unclaimed EITC refunds to low-income individuals and families in the St. Louis region and is made up of 25 member organizations. United Way of Greater St. Louis is a key partner in the coalition providing administration, office space and volunteer training.
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