Dec 15, 2014 2 min read

Community Action Southwest is recruiting volunteers in Washington and Greene counties for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, which provides low- to moderate-income households with free income tax-filing services, protects them from predatory or expensive filing services and ensures they receive all tax credits for which they are eligible.

Volunteers are needed during the afternoon and evening of Wednesdays from Jan. 28 through April 8 for various positions including greeting and screening taxpayers as well as preparing income tax returns. Volunteers do not need prior experience in tax filing as they receive training and certification through the program. Individuals may volunteer as little as two hours each week and more if their schedule allows.

Last year, the program volunteers helped to file 487 income tax returns in Washington and Greene counties resulting in $608,332 in refunds that were funneled back into the local economy.

VITA is part of the agency’s Community Action WORKS initiative, which seeks to further adult education, employability, housing and asset development while creating opportunities and providing support for economic independence.

Community Action Southwest receives funding from both the United Way of Washington County and the Greene County United Way to operate VITA.

Additional information is available by calling Rebecca Whoolery at 724-852-2893, extension 516, or emailing rwhoolery@ caswg.org.