Tax-Aide program seeking volunteers
The AARP Tax-Aide program, which provides free income tax return preparation services for low- to moderate-income individual taxpayers, is seeking volunteers at its Caribou and Presque Isle sites.
Tax preparers are needed in both locations, and in Presque Isle volunteers are sought to be greeters for those who come in for service. Training for all volunteers will be held from Jan. 4-8 at the University of Maine at Presque Isle in preparation for the coming tax season, Feb. 2-April 14.
Mike Ayers of Caribou, a counselor for AARP, said greeters do not need detailed knowledge of the tax program. They meet with taxpayers as they arrive and oversee the scheduling flow.
“Bob White of Caribou was the first person to be assigned as a greeter here. He greets the people, makes them feel comfortable, and helps them know what to do before they’re assigned to a tax preparer,” Ayers explained.
Those who wish to become tax preparers must have a “fairly detailed knowledge of how to prepare taxes,” said Ayers. “Most of the people we have are those who have done their own tax returns for years and have some working computer knowledge.”
Greeters are expected to attend the portion of the training that introduces them to policies, procedures and ethics, but are not involved in learning tax law. Tax preparers will be thoroughly trained in tax law and in the use of tax software.
Tax preparation beginning next February will be held at the Caribou VFW on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Saturdays at the UMPI Campus Center.
Ayers noted that, though the program’s focus is on those 60 and above, help is available to any individual taxpayers needing assistance.
For more information, call 896-5839.
