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Assistance-program volunteers gear up for tax season
YOUNGSTOWN
People who enjoy helping other people save money are needed as volunteers for Internal Revenue Service-sponsored programs that assist people in filling out their income-tax returns — for free.
Last year, nearly 3,100 Mahoning County residents filed their taxes for free through the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs. These residents received nearly $3 million in refunds and saved $619,000 in fees.
“It is very satisfying work,” said John D’Onofrio, owner of Spartan Mortgage in Boardman, who has been a volunteer with the programs for three years.
He helps recruit volunteers, supervises tax-preparation sites in Lake Milton and Sebring, and prepares tax returns.
“It is great to help people get a tax refund and know they don’t have to pay a goodly portion of it to a professional tax-preparation firm,” D’Onofrio said.
“Our biggest problem is getting enough volunteers. The training to get certified as an income-tax preparer takes a lot of time,” he said.
IRS volunteer training for the VITA and TCE programs began today at several sites and also is available online.
Locations include:
Youngstown State University, Williamson School of Business: Today, Jan. 21 and Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership (MYCAP): Today, Jan. 14 and Jan. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, Canfield: The weeks of Jan. 9 and Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The first week of class is devoted to tax law and the second week to IRS-supplied software and ancillary equipment.
To register for any of these free training sessions call HandsOn Volunteer Network at 330-782-5877 and leave a message or email to info@HOVN.org and send full name, address, phone and an email address for correspondence.