Alaska AARP Foundation Tax-Aide needs new volunteers for the up-coming tax season. Tax volunteers must complete 40 hours of tax preparation classes that are taught by IRS-certified instructors. Lack of experience should not stop anyone from volunteering. You will learn where to input the information in the program and the software program does the rest. Materials for the course are provided by the IRS and AARP Foundation. Beginning classes will start in December for Anchorage, and in the Mat-Su Valley they will be held Saturdays, Jan. 6-27.
Are you good with people? Great! There also is a need for greeters at the sites.
Last year with 109 volunteers, Alaska AARP Foundation Tax-Aide helped more than 6,000 people file their federal tax returns in Alaska. These Alaskan taxpayers received more than $6.5 million in tax refunds and $1.4 million in Earned Income Tax Credit. Taxpayers saved an estimated $1.5 million in tax preparation fees.
“Alaskans we serve appreciate what we do for them,” said Jan Watson, who serves as the Prospective Volunteer Coordinator and Tax Preparer for the Tax-Aide Program. Jan found herself working with a taxpayer who was fearful she would owe money on her tax return. Jan worked on the woman’s return and realized she would be receiving a refund. When Jan broke the good news, the woman broke into tears and announced that she would finally be able to buy winter clothing for her children. Among her fellow AARP Tax-Aide volunteers who witnessed the woman’s comment, they looked at each other and said “That is why we do this,” said Jan.
There are 11 cities in Alaska that provide this free service: Anchorage, Chugiak-Eagle River, Fairbanks, Juneau, Homer, Ketchikan, Seward, Sitka, Palmer, Wasilla, and Wrangell. Services are provided at libraries, senior centers and other convenient locations. Volunteers are needed in all cities.
Go to http://www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaide to complete an application. A representative from Tax-Aide will contact you with additional information.
