Consider Being A Tax Volunteer!
Montana Credit Unions for Community Development (MCUCD) and Montana Educators Credit Union are teaming up to support a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site in Missoula in 2011. We are now accepting applications for volunteers and training registration.
The VITA Program offers free tax help to individuals and families with low- to moderate-income (generally, $49,000 and below) who cannot prepare their own tax returns. IRS-Certified volunteers sponsored by various organizations receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations such as your local credit union.
VITA volunteers at Montana Educators Credit Union receive free training and extensive volunteer support from MCUCD before, during, and after tax season. MCUCD provides comprehensive training to all volunteers and is always available for questions over the phone while the volunteer is working on a tax return.
Volunteers can choose the training option that suits them best. MCUCD conducts Tax TeleCourse training series twice before the VITA season begins. The Tax TeleCourses are a series of tax trainings conducted over the phone. Each of the eight TeleCourse sessions last about an hour and include a homework assignment to help you practice what you've learned. Our first session begins October 19th. Visit www.MontanaFreeFile.org for more information and to view the training schedule. For those who like online learning, volunteers can use the IRS Link & Learn Training Module, found here: http://www.irs.gov/app/vita/.
MCUCD has supported VITA sites since 2006 and has experience working with volunteers and taxes state-wide. Last year MCUCD VITA volunteers prepared 2,400 tax returns at sites across the state. For more information on MCUCD, visit www.MontanaCreditUnions.coop.
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering at a VITA site for this coming tax season, please contact Rachael Milne at rachael@mcun.org or 1-800-745-5546 ext. 142. VITA is a great way to learn something new, help Montanans get ahead financially, and get more involved with Montana Educators Credit Union!