Tax time is coming again! If you would like a time-limited volunteer opportunity, helping people at United Community Action Partnership’s free tax clinic is for you.

United Community Action, in partnership with the United Way of Southwest MN and the MN Department of Revenue, the Internal Revenue Service, and many other community partners, is taking steps to help ensure that low-income tax payers receive the full tax credits and refunds that they are entitled to, and you can help!

Potential volunteers may be thinking, “Taxes? I’m not qualified!” or “Taxes? That doesn’t sound fun at all!”

But think about the feeling you would get by giving a few hours of time and helping put thousands of dollars back in the pockets of hardworking families? And this year we need you more than ever! The demand for service continues to grow, so we are seeking to expand our team.

Volunteers may be looking to add a new skill or community service to their resume. Great! You don’t need to have experience to become part of the team. We provide free training on everything you need to know to become a competent tax preparer! Already know the basics? Fan-tax-ic! We can help develop your skills even more.

Volunteers can share their time and talents by becoming a trained IRS-certified tax preparer. Each return that is prepared by a volunteer is also reviewed by an experienced reviewer before being electronically-filed.

Would you like to volunteer, but are not interested in preparing taxes? No problem! Caring and friendly volunteers are needed to be tax site specialists as well. These volunteers welcome customers to the tax clinic, talk to them about the process and screen their documents. They may also meet with customers interested in learning more about other benefits and assistance they might be eligible for.

Training for all new volunteers will held in January 2018, but we are recruiting for those positions now! There’s a great perk too……. if you volunteer at the tax clinic you also have the opportunity to have your taxes done free of charge as well, regardless of your income! (Some exceptions apply with regard to complex self-employment returns.)

If you are interested in learning more about the program or would like to sign up to volunteer, please consider coming to one of our Tax Clinic Volunteer Orientation sessions from 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 30 or Dec. 12 at United Community Action Partnership in Marshall. Or contact Shelly Rykhus at 1-507-537-1416 or Shellyr@unitedcapmn.com

United Community Action Partnership is a nonprofit organization that strives to help low and moderate income families improve their lives and move out of poverty.