Volunteer Opportunity Details:

The Access VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program has proved to be a very successful means of boosting the local economy. During the 2008-09 tax season, over $1 million was refunded to tax filers who utilized the VITA services provided by Access. We would like to increase this number next year by providing additional service hours at our locations and increase the number of volunteers. Our program is staffed entirely by volunteers; there are no paid preparers involved. Volunteers are needed to prepare the tax returns and to greet and assist the filers in completing the required paperwork. There is an opportunity for twenty (20) hours of volunteer work each week from January 15 through April 15, 2010. The IRS recognizes all VITA volunteers at the end of the season at a recognition ceremony.

Training for individuals interested in tax preparation will be held in December 2009. Training typically takes place for two days, 8 AM - 4 PM at the Access Agency main office located at 1315 Main Street, Willimantic. Volunteers not interested in preparing taxes could be trained as greeters/screeners in a two-hour session to be held in December 2009.

Those who have volunteered to work with this program have given us excellent feedback as to the quality of their volunteer experience and return every year for the program. This will be our seventh year running this program so the low income community doesn't have to pay to have their income taxes prepared. Volunteers have an opportunity to select from several sites in the Willimantic, Stafford, Danielson and Putnam area in which to prepare taxes. We are also looking into other sites in Windham and Tolland Counties.

Training for individuals interested in tax preparation will be held in December, 2009 and is conducted by the IRS and Access program staff. Training typically takes place for two days, 8 am - 4 pm. Individual will be tested to complete either the basic or intermediate test. In order to be a certified tax preparer, you must pass the basic tax exam. If you don't pass the exam and still want to volunteer, we hope you will still want to volunteer as a greeter or screener. All equipment, supplies and computers are provided.

Upon completion of the training session, volunteers are required to put in a minimum of 20 (twenty) hours of service for the Access Agency VITA program.

This opportunity is sponsored by: Access Community Action Agency

Volunteers will work with the following groups Adults (26-54) Low-income / Poverty Disabled / Ill Minorities Families / Parents Older Adults (55+) Govt Aid Recipients We need volunteers who are free at these times Evenings Weekdays Monthly Weekends This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers Adults (26-54) Young Adults (18-25) Adults (55+) This volunteer opportunity addresses the following social interests Civic & Community Nonprofit Organization Human Services Poverty We are looking for volunteers with the following skills Computer / Internet Services Tax prep Reading

Upcoming Dates:

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Contact Person: Egla Madera, Interim Director, Asset Dev't./VITA, (phone), (email) View all agency contacts

Address:

1315 Main Street, Suite 2 Willimantic, CT 06226 (See a map)

Directions:

From Hartford, take 84 East until you reach 384 East. Follow 384 East until you reach Route 6 (Bolton), follow Route 6 into downtown Willimantic. The ACCESS Community Action Agency will be on the left, across from Tyler Square.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: NA For maps or information, please see http://www.cttransit.com/

Details where opportunity can also be performed

This opportunity can also be performed in these locations:

Counties:		Tolland Windham