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TextVolunteers Needed for Income Tax Program
Fairfax County Office of Public
Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
703-324-3187, TTY 711, FAX 703-324-2010
Nov. 17, 2005
Volunteers Needed to Help Low-Income Residents
File Income Taxes
The Fairfax County CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) program is now recruiting volunteers to help meet the goal of getting $2 million back into the hands of low-income residents by helping them claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (worth up to $4,000 a family).
Volunteer tax preparers, screeners and translators will assist residents who make less than $37,000 per year claim tax refunds that can help pay current bills, reduce debt or pay education expenses. Those who participate in the tax credit program also save on tax preparation expenses, which typically cost more than $150. The tax preparation is done online and submitted electronically to the IRS.
Volunteers also will help participants open bank accounts if needed so they can receive their refund by direct deposit within 14 days. The quick turnaround can eliminate the possibility of taking out refund loans at high interest rates.
Volunteers are required to pass an IRS certification test that qualifies them to prepare basic 1040, 1040EZ and 1040A returns. Free certification training is provided online or in classroom sessions. On average, volunteers spend eight hours learning the material and passing the 40-question test.
According to Tom Meagher, program manager, “Volunteering for CASH is very rewarding. We have volunteers who return year after year because they can see their volunteer hours make a big difference in their communities.”
Program partners include county government, IRS, nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations, credit unions, banks, Fairfax County Public Schools and county businesses.
To volunteer or for more information, contact Tom Meagher at 703-324-5139, TTY 711, tom.meagher@fairfaxcounty.gov or Meredith Eisenberg at 703-324-5194, TTY 711, or visit the Office of Partnerships Web page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/partnerships.
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