Free Community Tax Service Volunteer Hub

The Free Community Tax Service helps residents file federal and state returns for no charge, claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, if eligible, and receive 100 percent of their refund quickly and easily, typically in ten days or less. Last year's efforts helped residents file over 2,800 tax returns! Low- and moderate-income residents in Monroe and Owen counties saved over $1.2 million dollars in tax preparation fees and received $2.9 million in refunds, allowing individuals to put the money saved toward important expenses like rent, groceries, utilities, and education.

What is a Tax Hero?
Volunteers do not need to have any prior experience with preparing taxes and will receive training and support in a positive, team-based environment.

Read the Tax Hero Volunteer Description for more information on what it takes to become someone's tax hero.

Become a Free Community Tax Service Hero!
1. Sign-up.
Complete this online application to start the process of becoming a Tax Hero.

2. Start the Training and Certification process.
All volunteers must get certified through the Link & Learn website.

Use this Step-by-Step Training Guide to help you through the certification process. **Coming Soon**

Other Useful Training Tools:

Link & Learn Getting Started Guide

Using the Practice Lab (TaxSlayer Guide)

Indiana State Volunteer Handbook (For State Returns)

2019 Training & Volunteer Sessions

Working with Taxpayers 101; 1315 E 10th St., School of Environmental and Public Affairs (SPEA) room A221

Tuesday, November 27, 7- 8 pm

Volunteer Kick-Off Meeting; Location/Time/Date TBD

Tax Law Training Class; Ivy Tech- 200 Daniels Way, Room B201

Friday, January 18: 9am-12pm,

Friday, January 18: 1pm-4pm,

Saturday, January 19: 9am-12 pm

*Sessions are repeated three times for your convenience, you only need to attend once.

TaxSlayer Software Training Class; Ivy Tech- 200 Daniels Way, Room B201

Friday, January 25: 9am-12pm,

Friday, January 25: 1pm-4pm,

Saturday, January 26: 9am-12 pm

*Sessions are repeated three times for your convenience, you only need to attend once.

Group Study Sessions; IU campus (exact location TBD)

Date/Times TBD; Week of January 20-27, 2019.

Volunteers are invited to join us for group study sessions when Site Coordinators and other experienced volunteers will be on hand to help you find the information you need to answer difficult questions and clarify any topics with which you are struggling.

Click here to RSVP for all training sessions you plan to attend.

Site Coordinator's Corner
Visit the IRS page for site coordinator's here.

ACA Affordability Calculator
This tool can help tax preparers determine eligibility for ACA exemptions.

Tax Hero Volunteer Coordinator:

Amy Leyenbeck, Community Initiatives Director
United Way of Monroe County
441 South College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47403
amy [at] monroeunitedway.org
812-334-8370 x 11

Want to help strengthen the earnings potential in our community?

Please consider donating to the United Way Earnings Priority Fund. This fund helps hard working individuals and families get ahead by increasing their job skills and income potential, providing financial education, and building economic stability and independence.

Want to learn more about additional Earnings initiatives or the other building blocks for a good life - Education and Essentials?

Keywords:

Volunteer

Free Community Tax Service

Earnings

Did You Know?

A gift of $2 per week provides 70 bags of healthy groceries to low-income families.

Of the high school seniors enrolled in mentoring programs at United Way member agencies, 94% graduated and 91 % have plans to attend college or vocational school

$60/week can provide materials for 3 volunteer-built handicap-accessible ramps allowing low-income seniors to live at home safely.

Nearly 24,000 rides on Rural Transit and bus passes have been provided so people without transportation could get to and from work

In Monroe, Owen, and Greene counties, 445 individuals saved $69,217 in prescription drug costs through the FamilyWize discount prescription drug card distributed by United Way of Monroe County at agencies, pharmacies and community outreach events.

At Big Brothers Big Sisters, a United Way member agency, 75% of youth improved or maintained their good attendance at school and 61% increased or maintained their good grades

Born Learning materials are free and help parents, caregivers, and our community create early learning opportunities for young children.

Calls made to 2-1-1 are free and confidential.

In 2017, 2-1-1 specialists and online database searches responded to 3,752 inquiries from Monroe, Owen, and Greene counties and made 5,138 referrals. Most callers were seeking help with housing and utilities assistance, and food.

Legacy Donors include United Way in their estate plans, including a will, a retirement plan, or a life insurance policy.

When you choose to donate to United Way, you improve a life.

Locally, 1 in 5 children are at risk of hunger

A gift of $9 per week ensures 3 days of emergency shelter service for victims of domestic violence.

88% of Amethyst House clients reported maintaining or increasing income and 100% learned new budgeting skills. 88% of residents in transitional housing programs increased or maintained their income.

Your donation of $1 per week provides 2 people with bus transportation to a new job for a month.

838 school children received supports like clothing, shoes, school supplies, medical services, and special transportation assistance through the MCCSC and RBBSC Assistance Funds so they could fully participate in classes

A gift of $10 per week provides 3 community events to educate low-income community members about legal rights.

A gift of $20 per week can provide 50 people with their birth certificates which will help them in securing housing, employment, and other necessary resources.

A gift of $3 per week provides 12 people with needed prescription medicine.

With 17 regional partners, the Free Community Tax Service helped low-income people in Monroe and Owen counties bring back over $2.9 million in refunds and credits

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Free Community Tax Service Volunteer Hub