Income tax assistance volunteers needed to train ASAP

The Delaware Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition is recruiting volunteers to serve as tax preparers, financial navigators, greeters and Spanish interpreters to staff the eight Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites in Delaware. Volunteers are needed to welcome clients, conduct client intake, prepare federal and state tax returns, and coordinate other public services through the tax sites, such as financial education seminars, opening bank accounts, and credit reporting. Volunteer tax preparers take a thorough training course, with classes being held in January and early February; they also must pass certification tests to complete tax returns. Financial navigators and greeters attend training as well.

In the last 17 years, the VITA program has returned more than $36 million of value to the community through saved tax preparation fees and $262 million in refunds generated. More than 5,400 volunteers have participated.

“While several of our volunteers return each year, we always need more people willing to learn. We depend on people willing to give of their time to keep our services free for those who need them the most,” said Maisha Thoms, coalition director.

Volunteers need not have any prior tax preparation training or experience. The coalition’s training program is comprehensive and all-inclusive. A 16-hour time commitment per month is required after the training period. VITA sites will be open through Monday, April 15.

For more information or to volunteer, call 302-655-0803 or go to www.nehemiahgateway.org.