November 9, 2022

United Way seeking tax preparation assistance volunteers for Putnam County

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY— The United Way of Westchester and Putnam is recruiting volunteers to assist with tax preparation in Putnam County during the upcoming tax season. These volunteers will commit to volunteering a few hours each week and will support the efforts of CA$H Coalition.

There are three ways to volunteer.

Tax Counselors help prepare taxes for clients. This opportunity is on-site in Putnam County.
Client Facilitators support the Tax Counselors and ensure that appointments run smoothly. This opportunity is on-site in Putnam County.

Appointment Specialists assist with the overflow of appointment calls and ensure that clients can receive tax help. This opportunity can be done remotely.

Volunteers will need to go through different training courses depending on which position they accept. These training courses will take place in December. Tax preparation opens in February 2023 and goes through April 2023. More information for each position can be found at https://www.uwwp.org/tax-volunteers/.

Volunteers will need to be familiar with technology and work with people on a regular basis. Tax Counselors will need previous experience doing taxes. At minimum volunteers need to do their own taxes without using an outside service. Volunteers get a great deal of satisfaction from helping people get the refunds and credits they may not have known about. We understand that these positions can be a large commitment, but your efforts will ensure that members of your community receive the aid they need.

The Hudson Valley CA$H Coalition and the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program provide free, reliable tax preparation assistance to low to moderate income residents of Dutchess, Orange and Putnam counties. Many depend on their refund to keep up with their rent, make a necessary car repair or pay down their credit card. For many of our neighbors their tax refund might be the biggest check they receive all year.

For more information and to become an IRS-certified volunteer tax preparer, go to https://www.uwwp.org/tax-volunteers/ or contact Melissa Preudhomme at [email protected]