Utah community volunteers needed to provide free tax help in 2019
UT-2018-03, Oct. 15, 2018
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Tax Help, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the Internal Revenue Service are looking for volunteers to train for the upcoming income tax filing season to provide free tax help and tax return preparation.
“The IRS works closely with key partners like Utah Tax Help,” said Karen Connelly, IRS spokesperson. “People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to volunteer. There is a role for anyone who is interested and wants to help give back to their community.”
The IRS VITA program offers free tax preparation to people with low-to-moderate income that need help preparing their tax returns. This includes those with disabilities and senior citizens. Many sites are able to assist those for whom English is a second language.
During the 2018 filing season, 684 volunteers with Utah Tax Help prepared 19,644 tax returns. This generated $20.2 million in tax refunds and $6.4 million of the Earned Income tax Credit being made available to local individuals and families.
Volunteering can be exciting, educational and enjoyable. Here are a few good reasons to consider signing up to help:
Volunteers greet taxpayers and help organize their paperwork, electronically file both federal and Utah State Tax Commission tax returns, set up and keep computer equipment running, manage tax sites and handle quality control.
Both online and classroom training is available and will take place in late November through January. Once certified, volunteers can spend as little as three to four hours per week volunteering in late January, February, March and April.
For more information or to volunteer, visit the Utah Tax Help website.
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The Wood Smoke Reduction program launch is today at stoves.utah.gov. Online applications will be available at 5 p.m.
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