Tax Help Montana volunteers aim to make tax time easier
Posted: Mar 12, 2010 6:08 PM
Updated: Mar 12, 2010 6:43 PM
The tasks of sifting through the receipts, finding the right form, and making the calculations can be "taxing" to say the least - but not everyone dreads the annual ritual.
The volunteers at Tax Help Montana enjoy helping citizens complete their tax returns, and they understand that for most people, it's a complicated chore.
Kathy Powell noted, "I know they don't but it makes us very happy when we see people are getting refunds and not having to pay additional."
The agency includes about 80 volunteers across Montana with a variety of backgrounds in both work and life, with some sporting college degrees, others working in government, and even a man of the cloth.
Volunteer John Lewis was a Methodist pastor, and he said, "The same as it was in ministry, only you're working with a different group, a broader group, and it's interesting how many of the same issues arise."
The one thing they have in common though, is the desire to help others.
Mike VanAuken commented, "The work and the energy and enthusiasm my volunteers bring to this program is above and beyond what I've ever seen."
Volunteers are required to go through 40 hours of tax law training and complete multiple tests by the IRS to join the organization, and for both the volunteers and the folks they help, it's worth it.
Penny Faldzinski sought help from the group and said, "It's wonderful. I do have a limited income and it's very helpful for everybody all the way around."
Tax Help Montana volunteers are at the public libraries all day Tuesday, the Great Falls Senior Center on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, and the U.S. Bank on the west side of town on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.
Volunteers will continue to help prepare taxes until the very last moment on April 15th.
Click here to visit the Tax Help Montana website.
The website states: "If you make less than $57,000 per year, you can file your federal AND state returns FREE OF CHARGE. The software is easy, walks you through the questions you need to answer, and fills in everything for you. It's so easy, anyone can do it."
