Help low-income families avoid high fees, claim tax credits and help the local economy
As a retiree, John May was interested in being part of a team again, giving back to his community and learning something new. Becoming a volunteer tax preparer for United Way of Northern New Jersey’s free tax preparation program earlier this year checked all those boxes — and more.
“The other volunteers were great,” recalled the Morris County resident. “I learned a lot … I hope I helped a lot. And I took away a lot. The clients are so appreciative.”
During last tax season, May was among the 180 volunteers who helped United Way of Northern New Jersey and its partners — Norwescap, Greater Providence Missionary Baptist Church and the IRS — file 5,700 returns for free. This collaboration saved struggling families $1.5 million in tax preparation costs and returned $5.6 million in tax refunds.
United Way has launched its recruitment campaign for volunteer tax preparers in order to have trained volunteers across its five-county footprint of Morris, Suburban Essex, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties. Volunteers help ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and households in poverty throughout the northern New Jersey region avoid the high cost of preparation fees.
“Our volunteer tax preparers are making a difference in the lives of neighbors struggling to afford the basics,” said United Way of Northern New Jersey CEO Kiran Handa Gaudioso. “By helping ALICE avoid high preparation fees and receive tax credits for which they are eligible, much-needed funds are put back into their wallets — and the local economy.”
May saw firsthand the relief clients experienced using United Way’s free tax prep program. He recalled a Ukrainian refuge who initially thought she owed money but left with a refund. “She started crying and said what a wonderful country this was,” he said.
Additionally, May shared how filing a tax return for another client allowed her to apply for financial aid for school. He also identified an error made by a paid preparer, which resulted in a client receiving a refund.
“One of the great things about this program is that people leave with more than just a tax return,” May said. “They leave with a measure of self-esteem. They leave with a measure of accomplishment. They leave with a measure of relief.”
May also enjoyed learning a new skill. As a CPA who worked with corporate clients, he had never filed a tax return prior to volunteering. A free training course taught him what he needed to know, and fellow volunteers and United Way staff were always on hand to answer any questions and review his work.
“It’s very easy. The software does everything for you. You have to know where to plug the numbers in, but you don’t need to know anything about tax law,” said May.
For more information about becoming a volunteer tax preparer, email Monica.Conover@UnitedWayNNJ.org, call 973.993.1160 x529 or go to UWNNJ.org/TaxVolunteer.
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