VITA program seeking tax-prep volunteers

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program at Western Washington University is seeking community volunteers to provide assistance in preparation for the 2015 tax season this winter.

The VITA Program helps low and moderate-income taxpayers prepare their tax returns. The program is sponsored by Western’s Beta Alpha Psi and Accounting Society and staffed by students from Western, Whatcom Community College, and community volunteers.

New volunteers are always needed, and no prior tax experience is necessary.

The VITA Coordinator will send volunteers information on materials availability after online registration has been completed, as well as links and instructions for online training. The free VITA training is a combination of self-study, online training and in-class training. The training materials may be picked up at Western in late November and early December.

The in-class training is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, Jan. 24 on Western’s campus. The in-class training will include computerized tax preparation training and VITA procedural training. After the training is completed, volunteers will need to pass an open-book online test before they can assist members of the public, starting in February.

For online signup forms or volunteer information, visit Western’s Beta Alpha Psi website at http://www.wwubap.org/volunteer-activities/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita/.

For more information, contact Stephen Bellrichard, Western’s VITA Coordinator, at vita.wwu.bap@gmail.com.