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Reminder: volunteer with the Boston Tax Help Coalition!

Dec 22, 2015

The Boston Tax Help Coalition is a non-profit organization that assists Boston residents by maximizing the impact of the Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits through quality, free tax preparation, financial education, and asset building opportunities. There are more than 30 community tax sites throughout the City of Boston open to eligible Boston taxpayers during each tax season.

The Coalition depends on the outstanding work of its volunteers to help nearly 13,000 Boston residents each year. There are four roles:
  • Tax Preparers prepare taxes for low-moderate income taxpayers
  • Financial Guides analyze credit reports and review them with taxpayers
  • Savings Guides help taxpayers open bank accounts, savings bonds, and retirement accounts
  • Greeters welcome taxpayers to the site, manage the flow, and ensure everyone is assisted
Each volunteer receives training as well as ongoing guidance and supervision at each site, and many volunteers do not have a tax or financial background, just an interest in expanding their skill set while serving the community. The Coalition requests that each volunteer commit to at 4 hours a week from late January through mid-April, and many volunteers are able to volunteer at a location near their work or home. At the conclusion of tax season, the Coalition celebrates and honors our volunteers at a special Volunteer Appreciation Event.

What’s in it for you? Glad you asked! The Coalition supports a positive volunteer experience and makes every effort to meet each volunteer’s needs. Volunteers are able to use the knowledge they gain from training and volunteering towards their own financial lives. You may include your volunteer experience on your resume, use towards academic credit, and Coalition staff and site coordinators are also happy to write recommendations and referrals for volunteers. Last but not least, our volunteers feel a sense of satisfaction when assisting under-served taxpayers. You are helping a Boston neighbor move towards a healthier financial state. That, in itself, is rewarding.

Without the wonderful and dedicated work of our volunteers, the Coalition would not be able to provide these important wealth building services to Boston’s working poor. We need your help! The Coalition begins training in November for Tax Preparers and Financial Guides, but it is never too late to register and join us. Whether you have an accounting background, or just want to be involved in a City-wide anti-poverty initiative, we welcome all interested volunteers. Consider volunteering with a friend!

For details and questions, or to volunteer, please visit our website.

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