United Way seeking tax-prep volunteers

United Way of Deschutes County is currently recruiting volunteers for the 2013 Take Credit Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) through its collaboration with Partnership to End Poverty.

VITA is a free tax preparation service and will aide qualifying local moderate to low-income residents in claiming their tax refund dollars.

Volunteers are needed from February 1 through April 15 to assist with tax preparation at any of three sites located in Bend, Redmond and Prineville. The Take Credit VITA Program will also offer a mobile Super Saturday event in Sisters in early March. Previous experience with tax preparation is preferred but not required. Bilingual community members are encouraged to participate.

Volunteer responsibilities will include greeting, screening and tax preparation in a teamwork environment. Volunteers are encouraged to be available for at least one or two daytime, evening or weekend 5-hour shifts per week throughout the tax season however scheduling is flexible.

Training for the program can be accomplished independently or through classroom sessions that will be conducted the week of December 17-21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at COCC.

In 2012, the Take Credit VITA Program resulted in the filing of 721 returns for a total refund of $843,503 within Deschutes and Crook Counties. For more detailed information please call 541.389.6507 or email: Pat@deschutesunitedway.org