Press Release
The Earn It Keep It Save It-Southeastern Utah Association of Governments Coalition, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and the IRS are seeking community volunteers across Utah and especially in Carbon, Grand, Emery and San Juan Counties to provide free tax assistance to those who need help filing their taxes.
Who volunteers? People like you. VITA volunteers serve in a variety of roles. Volunteers are needed to electronically file tax returns, greet taxpayers and help organize their paperwork, set up and keep running computer equipment used to electronically file tax returns, manage the tax site and do quality review.
“VITA needs fellow Utahns all across the state and at this time, from Castle Dale and Price and other communities such as Moab and Monticello. We are looking for area volunteers who are interested in taking a little time to learn about taxes and then helping others by preparing federal and state income tax returns for free,” said IRS spokesperson Leland Smith. “Volunteers are certified to prepare simple, non-business tax returns for people with low to moderate incomes. People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to volunteer. There is a role for anyone who is interested, anyone who wants to help and give back to their community.”
Free training will be scheduled for the December-January time frame. The instruction and training materials cover how to prepare basic individual income tax returns, both federal and state and how to file them electronically. Volunteer hours are flexible and the free tax help sites are located in near-by community centers, libraries, schools and other similar places.
During the past tax season statewide, 854 VITA volunteers prepared 20,969 federal returns resulting in $24.2 million in tax refunds and $8.34 million in Earned Income Tax Credit being claimed.
For more information on becoming a VITA volunteer or questions, please contact Geri Gamber at 435-637-5444 or go to www.utahtaxhelp.org to sign up.