Looking To Volunteer? Try Helping With Taxes

How can you not like them? They often wind up finding unexpected money for people they voluntarily agreed to help do unpleasant paperwork.

They are the volunteers who give of their time and skills to help senior citizens and income-qualified people fill out their tax returns through Tax Help New Mexico. Last year, these volunteers transmitted 33,276 returns statewide that brought back a whopping $19,284,170 in refunds to New Mexicans and saved filers a potential $4,155,490 in tax preparation fees.

THNM is looking for volunteers for next year’s tax season, under a partnership with the United Way of Central New Mexico and CNM Connect. “Even if you don’t know anything about taxes, that’s OK, because we walk people through all the different steps of what you need to know,” said Ann Lyn Hall, executive director of CNM Connect.

Volunteer tax preparers range from high school students to retirees and include many CNM students. Returns done by volunteers are checked for accuracy.

Tax Help New Mexico assists New Mexicans with household incomes of less than $51,000 a year or those over the age of 65 regardless of income. It manages more than 30 sites around the state, including at four CNM campuses and two other locations in Albuquerque.

Volunteer preparers new to Tax Help must attend a training workshop offered in January and pass the IRS certification exam. For a list of Tax Help New Mexico sites or to sign up to volunteer, visit www.cnm.edu/taxhelp

It’s a great cause that is sure to generate good will, especially when the work results in a refund.