NEW HANOVER COUNTY — It’s a little more than three months from the start of tax season. As part of an annual county program, volunteers are being recruited to help residents with electronic filings for federal and state tax returns.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) will help residents at the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center (2222 S. College Road) and the Katie B. Hines Senior Center (300 Cape Fear Boulevard). The AARP Tax Aide program will open at the New Hanover County Downtown Library (201 Chestnut Street).
Volunteers are needed to work for at least four hours a week, late January or early February through April 15. Duties include meeting and screening clients to determine eligibility of the service. Intake volunteers don’t supervise in tax preparation.
Volunteer tax preparers receive IRS-approved training and certification. The training will begin December and includes self-study and then classroom and computer training in January. Preparers will oversee a sample return on IRS-provided software upon the conclusion of training.
“Every year, we work with some amazing volunteers who serve our community by helping local residents navigate the tax filing process,” Senior Resource Center Director Amber Smith said in a county press release. “[I]n order to succeed, we recruit and rely on volunteers who are willing to help residents with low to moderate incomes file their tax returns.”
More information is available by contacting Becky Doherty with the VITA program at 910-798-6406 or emailing bdoherty@nhcgov.com.
Bonnie Nelson with AARP Tax Aide is available at the downtown library or by calling 910-742-0814.
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