VITA Volunteers Wanted

The Lebanon County Community Action Partnership (CAP), Red Cross RSVP and the United Way of Lebanon County are in search of volunteers for the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) sites.

VITA provides free tax preparation services to those who have an income of around or below $45,000. IRS-certified volunteers prepare individuals tax returns at three sites in Lebanon County .

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) established the VITA program and encourages anyone in community groups, high schools, colleges and universities, professional societies, and individuals to become volunteers. Last year the need for volunteer tax preparation exceeded the services that VITA volunteers could provide.

Last year the Lebanon City VITA site filed 146 tax returns at no charge to clients; this saved its clients approximately $21,940 in professional tax service fees.  In total, this one VITA site returned $116,976 to clients served -- that’s an average of $34,729 per tax preparer.

In order to make this program a success for those it strives to serve volunteers are needed to become IRS-certified in tax preparation.  The more volunteers available, the more individuals the VITA sites can help!  Training, by an IRS-certified instructor, is provided free of charge and will be held this Saturday, November 14 at 10 a.m. at the Democratic Headquarters, 23 S. Sixth St. , Lebanon ; additionally, a training session will be held on Thursday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Volunteers will be needed throughout the tax season, with schedules being flexible based upon volunteer availability.  Available positions are:

·         Greeter/Intake

·         Tax Preparer

·         Site Coordinator

·         Tech Support

·         Child Care

Even though tax season may seem far away, now is the time to get involved with VITA.  All are encouraged to sign up; no previous tax preparation experience is required.

For more information and/or to sign up for training please contact Cathy Gable at 717-273-2671.