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 nearly 2,400 tax returns. Low- and moderate-income residents in Monroe and Owen counties saved over $705,000 in tax preparation fees, 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.

Download the Tax Hero Recruitment Guide for more info!

Become a Free Community Tax Service Hero!
1. Sign-up.
Follow this simple step-by-step guide that covers topics from training to how to sign up for shifts. **Coming Soon.

2. Get IRS Certified with Link N Learn
All volunteers must get certified through the Link N Learn website.

Step-by-Step Guide w/ Pictures **Coming Soon

Indiana State Handbook

Uploading Your 13516 Guide w/ Pictures **Coming Soon

Training & Volunteer Sessions
Tax Law Training at Ivy Tech
This in-person Tax Law training offered by Professor Elkes at Ivy Tech will cover basic and advanced topics to help you pass the IRS certification.The 3 hour session is repeated three times, so you can choose the most convenient time to attend.

TaxSlayer Training at Ivy Tech
This session will be led by Professor Smith at Ivy Tech, and will walk through using the software you will use to enter returns.

Volunteer Kick Off
Additional Training Guides **Coming Soon

These powerpoints have been put together by the IU Maurer Site Coordinators. They are not IRS approved, but should help you as you work through your certification tests.

Communications
This year we will try using Slack to communicate within our teams and with other tax heroes. Sign up at: slack.com

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.

Timesheet
Record your hours here.

Track your hours here.

Volunteer Appreciation
**Coming Soon

FCTS 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