ies

ERS

of

OR

• Do you get a "kick" out of helping someone who really needs

help?

• Do you enjoy making a contribution in your community?• Are you willing to give a little of your time?• Do you have an aptitude for tax work?• Are you good at meeting and dealing with people from widely

different backgrounds?

• Do you take pride in doing a good job?

If you answered "yes" to all or most of these questions, you are aprime candidate for one or more of the volunteer programs that theInternal Revenue Service offers in your community. You areneeded. The IRS is not able to offer individual tax assistance toeveryone. However, the IRS does train volunteers to help people.You can be one of them.Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)VITA is one program where volunteers are needed. The IRS trainsvolunteers to help people prepare basic tax returns for those witha low to limited income, individuals with disabilities, and nonEnglish speaking persons and elderly taxpayers. The volunteersserve in the community at neighborhood centers, libraries,churches, shopping malls and other convenient locations. Volunteers also provide assistance and return preparation for prior yearfederal income tax returns, as well as, the earned income andadvanced earned income tax credit. A number of locations alsooffer electronic filing. People also are needed as instructors, sitemanagers and publicity coordinators.Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)TCE is another program where tax skills and a helping hand areoffered. TCE offers free tax help to people who are 60 years orolder. Many of the volunteers are retired themselves and areaffiliated with nonprofit groups that have received grants to run alocal TCE program. Grant funds are used to reimburse volunteersto pay mileage and other travel expenses so they can go whereverthey are needed - retirement homes, neighborhood sites orprivate houses of the homebound.Community Outreach Tax EducationIn the Community Outreach Tax Education program individualsconduct lectures or seminars on some aspect of tax law. Thepresentations are targeted at groups of taxpayers who have acommon occupation or tax concern - farmers, retirees and smallbusiness owners. Outreach is offered year-round at convenientcommunity locations and at convenient hours, including eveningsand weekends. Tax education seminars are tailored to the interests of each group attending. Tax return preparation sessionscover federal tax forms line-by-line so that taxpayers can preparetheir returns correctly.Small Business Tax Education Program (STEP)Through the Small Business Tax Education Program (STEP) theIRS offers a variety of business tax workshops, seminars andcollege courses in partnership with community sponsors. Ournationwide sponsors include community, junior and technicalcolleges, universities, business and economic development agencies and chambers of commerce. In addition to Federal taxes,many programs include state and local requirements throughcooperative efforts with those government entities.

Understanding Taxes ProgramsSince nearly everyone will have to pay taxes eventually, whatbetter time to learn the basics than while in school? Besides, manystudents already have part-time jobs or other sources of incomerequiring them to file a tax return. That's why the IRS has threeUnderstanding Taxes Programs which provide basic tax education to students.

If you enjoy teaching, or helping others to teach, and are

knowledgeable about taxation, you can help the taxpaying citizens of tomorrow by teaching these programs.

There are three programs offered:

Eighth Explains the evolution of taxes in our nation's

Grade-- history. Used as a supplement in eighth or ninth

grade U.S. History courses, teaches studentshow tax policies of the past have affected thoseof today.

High An introductory tax course aimed primarily at

School-- high school students. Teaches about the American tax system and how to complete basic tax

forms.

Post Provides adult learners an introduction to, and

Secondary--practice with, completing and interpreting tax

forms. Shows learners how to be responsibleparticipants in the tax system.

Practitioner EducationTax professionals can learn about recent lax law changes atPractitioner Institutes, which will enhance the professional qualityof the services they provide. These institutes are sponsored byqualified educational institutions, state and local governments,professional and other nonprofit organizations. Qualified taxprofessionals who would like to volunteer to acquaint fellowpractitioners with the latest developments in the tax field mightenjoy serving in this program.Student Tax ClinicsPerhaps you are willing to help a student in the field of taxation toget some "hands-on" experience providing counsel to taxpayerswhose returns are being examined. Law and graduate accountingschool students are given special permission to practice beforethe IRS on behalf of taxpayers who can't afford professional help.As a volunteer, you can help with clinic operations or even serveas a Student Tax Clinic Director.Bank, Post Office and Library (BPOL) ProgramThis program offers a chance to give back a little to your community. The IRS supplies over 47,000 libraries, banks, post offices,technical schools, state and local governments, and similar facilities with free tax forms and instructions. Tax Forms on CD-ROMand reference materials are available at many participating libraries. Once the tax materials are placed at these facilities, patronsstill have to be directed to the proper form, or booklet to suit theirneeds. That's where you can help.

In the case of all these programs, the Taxpayer EducationCoordinator in your IRS district office can provide you with furtherinformation about these opportunities.To get the most up to date tax products and information visit uson the World Wide Web at http://www.irs.ustreas.gov.