(WWJ) – As we approach Veterans Day this weekend, Macomb County Veterans Services is looking for volunteers to help make sure those who served our country are getting the most out of their tax returns.
The county office’s mission is to make sure all veterans are getting their benefits. Among the many services they provide is helping veterans prepare their taxes.
But in order to do that effectively, the organization is looking for volunteers to not only help input tax data, but greet and reach out to vets.
Laura Rios, the Chief Veterans Service Officer, runs the countywide volunteer income tax program. Rios has nearly two decades of helping service members overseas do their taxes. Since 2016 the program has done more than 12,000 tax returns for veterans and low-income Macomb County residents.
She tells Audacy Detroit’s Alisa Zee the program is looking for people to help with this year’s program, which runs from Jan. 19-April 15 at nine locations across the county.
“I start teaching how to prepare the taxes in training in December because this is like a six-week process to get the volunteers trained up in IRS federal law,” Rios said.
Rios says there’s no worries if you’re not a tax expert or not comfortable with computers — there are still opportunities to volunteer, including greeters.
Anyone who is interested in helping veterans this tax season is asked to have the following abilities/qualities:
• Basic computer skills and familiar with Adobe Acrobat
• Basic knowledge of filing personal income taxes
• Friendly and personable
• No felony arrest or convictions
• Current driver’s license or state identification card
• Can commit to one 4-6 hour shift per week
The 12-week program will run from January 19 to April 15, 2023, operating out of nine locations across the county, with the main hub at the Macomb County Family Resource Center (196 North Rose Street in Mount Clemens). Day shifts and evening shifts are available.
Anyone who signs up to volunteer will be required to attend two training sessions at the center on select dates in early December and late January. The following training will be provided:
• Basic federal tax law training
• Advanced federal tax law training
• State law training
• Standards of conduct and ethics
More information on the program and how to volunteer can be found on the Macomb County Veterans Services website.