Make a lasting impact: Become a free tax preparation volunteer

ELast year, United Way of Greater Cincinnati Free Tax Preparation Services volunteers prepared and filed tax returns for thousands of low- and moderate-income taxpayers in our region.

And every year, taxpayers sign up for every available appointment.

“The more volunteers we have, the more appointments we can make and the more returns we can do,” says Adrienne Brandicourt, United Way senior associate for free tax preparation. She calls Free Tax Prep “an incredibly important contribution to our community.”

The numbers confirm this. During the 2023 tax season, volunteers filed more than 8,000 returns, saved taxpayers more than $2 million in fees and helped them claim more than $9 million in federal refunds. In other words: on average, each volunteer helped give back $28,000 to the community.

“It’s a really big deal for people who really need the money,” Brandicourt says.

United Way collaborates with the Internal Revenue Service in the area of ​​free tax preparation. But because the IRS doesn’t allow United Way to pay tax preparers, the program’s success depends on volunteers like Yvonne Smith.

“It’s really nice to know you’ve helped someone,” she says.

A long-time volunteer recalls feeling frustrated recently when a taxpayer told her about his previous experience with the commercial tax office. He was supposed to get a refund of $105, but he ended up paying almost $280.

Just like in the name, Free Tax Prep free. And IRS-certified volunteers like Smith and Chris Prime make sure people get the refunds they’ve earned.

“Our taxpayers understand how important this (service) is,” Prime says. “They really appreciate what we do.”

If Free Tax Prep wants to help more people in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana, volunteers are essential. People of all skill levels are needed to prepare taxes and perform customer service functions such as greeter and receptionist. Training is being conducted.

Lead volunteer at three Free Tax Prep sites, including the Hearing, Speech + Deaf Center, where he built relationships with the organization’s clients and interpreters. “It’s almost a family atmosphere,” he says.

The camaraderie is also strong among volunteers, says Smith, who volunteers at many sites. “We ask each other questions. We are here to support each other and try our best to provide perfect returns for our customers.

“I leave the site very satisfied knowing that we did over 100 returns that weekend and knowing that we really made an impact on the community.”

For more information about volunteering for Free Tax Prep, visit the website www.uwgc.org/taxvolunteer.