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Agency seeking volunteers to aid in tax prep under new law

4 min read
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The federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act could have “a dramatic effect” on the upcoming tax filing season, according to a column on the website of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

With that in mind, a local nonprofit agency is seeking volunteers who are willing to aid those who need help filing with the Internal Revenue Service.

“We expect more taxpayers will contact us this tax season to schedule appointments because the changes to the tax law can be intimidating,” wrote Becky Whoolery, data and reporting specialist for Blueprints, the agency formerly known as Community Action Southwest, as part of an email exchange.

Blueprints is seeking helpers for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

Volunteers meet with taxpayers, answer their questions and, with information the filers provide, prepare returns online.

Those who sign up to assist are asked to commit to participating three to four times a month from late January through early April.

No prior accounting or tax knowledge is needed, and all training is provided.

Through the program, volunteers will file federal and state income taxes for free for taxpayers who make $54,000 or less.

In 2017, for example, the average adjusted gross income for Greene County households aided by the VITA program was $14,000.

Earlier this year, VITA volunteers helped to file 516 income tax returns in both Washington and Greene counties, resulting in $693,372 in refunds that were funneled back into the local economy.

“Many low- to moderate-income families pay $100 or more for tax preparation services,” Blueprints noted in a release.

“When you’re walking a financial tightrope, saving $100 or more can make a big difference in preventing a financial crisis.

“Taxpayers need to be careful that they are applying the tax law correctly before their returns are submitted to the IRS to prevent a delay in the processing of their returns.”

Whoolery wrote, “We definitely need more volunteers this year, especially at our Washington site.

“We’re extremely fortunate to partner with Waynesburg University, which commits an average of 15 students to serve as tax preparers” there. Blueprints also partners in Waynesburg with the Retired Senior Volunteers Program for those over age 55.

“In Washington, we’ve not been able to recruit a partner and rely on community members to serve as volunteers. Our volunteer capacity in Washington allows us to serve an average of 350 households each year. With more volunteers at our Washington site, we could serve additional households.”

More information on volunteering through RSVP in Greene County is available from Jill Peth at jpeth@myblueprints.org or 724-852-2893, extension 520.

Those who would consider volunteering in Washington can contact Whoolery at bwhoolery@myblueprints.org or 724-225-9550, extension 439.

Those seeking aid once the program begins in late January can go to Blueprints’ headquarters, 150 W. Beau St., Washington, or, in Greene County, 58 E. Greene St., Waynesburg.

Christopher C. Humes, in an online column for PICPA, noted some significant changes that take effect in 2018:

  • Doubling of the child tax credit for children under 17, and a new credit for dependents such as children over 17 and elderly parents.
  • The standard deduction has gone to $12,000 for singles and to $24,000 for married couples filing jointly.
  • The personal exemption is going away. Previously, a personal exemption of $4,050 per person was available for taxpayers, spouses and eligible dependents.
  • State and local taxes paid are still deductible for those who itemize, but they are now capped at $10,000 for state and local income and property taxes.
  • Unreimbursed job expenses such as job-related travel, small tools, uniforms and licenses are no longer deductible.

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