United Way seeking volunteers to help operate free tax sites

Be a tax hero - volunteer with United Way
Photo courtesy United Way

United Way is seeking volunteers to help operate free tax sites throughout King County from January 15 – April 15, 2014. 

Volunteers will be certified and trained by the IRS and will help families and individuals complete their tax returns to ensure they secure all refunds and credits they are eligible for. On average, each tax volunteer helps secure more than $30,000 in returns for low income families in our community during the campaign. Your time as a volunteer will help stabilize people’s lives and make real difference for families in need.

There are two primary roles at tax sites available for volunteers, Volunteer Tax Preparers and Intake and Benefit Specialists.

Complete descriptions are available online. The suggested time commitment is three to four hours a week for the duration of the campaign.

At the sites, tax customers will also be able to sign up for certain public benefits, receive assistance completing FAFSA applications, and learn about opportunities they have to make the most of their tax refund such as opening a savings account or investing in a savings bond.

Volunteers are needed at all locations throughout the county. Those who speak Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Somali, Korean, Amharic, Cambodian and Russian languages are especially needed.

In 2013, 700 volunteers prepared 14,900 tax returns and helped return $22 million in federal returns. The tax campaign also saved King County residents more than $1.5 million in tax preparation fees.

For more information and to volunteer, visit the webpage or email.