With tax season on the horizon, Hudson Valley CA$H Coalition and AARP Tax-Aide are looking for volunteers for free tax preparation program. These volunteers will provide tax preparation assistance as well as fill other positons that help low to moderate income families, individuals and seniors in Orange and Dutchess counties.
Last year, 7,728 individuals in Dutchess and Orange counties received free tax preparation with the amount tax refunds generated at $6,441,766 and a total economic impact $9,795,261.
Volunteer tax preparers will not only use their knowledge to help the community, but they can learn new skills as well. These individuals will be asked to help clients with their Federal and New York State tax returns. Tax preparers will receive free training along with IRS Certification. The only requirements are some experience in tax preparation, the ability to work on computers and an openness to working with others. The hours, days and location sites are flexible in order to best accommodate volunteers. Bilingual tax preparers are always needed and encouraged.
Other volunteers also are needed, including confirmation callers, technology support, marketing and public relations support, tax site greeters and translators. Volunteers have flexible hours and many have the opportunity to work from home. There is minimal training required for these positions and their help is invaluable in support of the program.
There will be volunteer tax preparer orientations held in December with training beginning in January 2017. Tax preparation appointments will open in early February through April 15, 2017.
Hudson Valley CA$H Coalition partners with 16 other organizations in order to successfully help community members with their taxes. These organizations include United Way of Dutchess-Orange Region, AARP Tax-Aide, Catholic Charities, the IRS, Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Dutchess County and Orange County, Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County, Fidelis Care, Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Marist College, Mount Saint Mary College, MVP Healthcare, North East Community Center, Orange County Office for the Aging, Pathstone, RSVP Senior Volunteer Program and Walden Savings Bank.
If you are interested in joining the Hudson Valley CA$H Coalition please contact Linda Eddy for Dutchess County at (845)-475-7500 or leddy@dutchesscap.org and for Orange County please contact Dave Weaving at hvcash@uwdor.org. If you would like to volunteer as a tax preparer, please visit http://bit.ly/HVCASH17. Other volunteer opportunities are listed on http://www.uwdor.org/hv-cash.
