The United Way of Allegheny County is looking for more than 200 volunteers for this year’s Free Tax Preparation Campaign.
Last year, 149 volunteers helped prepare more than 5,800 tax returns for low-income families and individuals, getting $10 million in refunds.
Angela Reynolds, director of programs for financially struggling adults and families for the United, said no prior tax experience is necessary to volunteer.
“The type of person that we’re looking for is someone who’s comfortable using a computer,” she said, “someone who enjoys working with people… and someone who is willing to complete a training course and become an IRS-certified volunteer to prepare taxes.”
Reynolds said individuals who make less than $20,000 and households with an income of less than $40,000 are eligible for the program.
“One of the things that we have noticed over the years is that we’re primarily serving working families,” she said. “So, while we do have some that are coming in as individuals, we do have many working families who are utilizing our services.”
Volunteers will be scheduled to work three to four hours a week throughout the tax season.
Since the United Way got involved with the Free Tax Preparation Campaign in 2009, 457 volunteers have prepared 26,960 tax returns and generated $44.3 million in refunds for Allegheny County residents.
The deadline for volunteerregistration is Dec. 27.
