Tax-Aid Needs Volunteers!

From time to time, we receive requests from non-profit organizations for help with projects or simply a request to put out a call to our accounting connections.

We recently received a note from Tax-Aid, a Bay Area non-profit in the business of helping low-income families file their taxes. Of course, we hope some of our friends might be able to lend a hand.

Last year, Tax-Aid was able to help 3,398 families receive over $3,398,000 in refunds by providing free tax return preparation. These are families truly in need of the help; all make less than $45,000 - a paltry amount in America's 2nd most expensive city. The average studio apartment in the city costs $1,524.45 a month!

Founded in 1988 by a coalition of accountants and lawyers, Tax-Aid, a 501(c)3 non-profit, has served thousands in the Bay Area with an emphasis on increasing access to the Earned Income Credit and the Child Tax Credit.

Tax-Aid also serves as the lead agency for the United Way of the Bay Area's "Earn It! Keep It! Save It!" campaigns in San Francisco and San Mateo counties, promoting financial literacy and stability for working families.

If you would be interested in participating (accounting and law students are encouraged to volunteer), contact the program directly us-tax-aid@kpmg.com

Tax-Aid's more than 1,000 volunteers come from all sorts of organizations and professional backgrounds. While tax expertise is of course needed, there are also positions available for volunteers with little or no tax experience. Volunteers are asked to attend a two-hour training session and to donate around eight hours over a few weeks.

Especially in this unpredictable and devastating financial climate, finance professionals are needed in all sectors to give their expertise and talents to those less fortunate than them. Will you help?

What about in your community? Similar programs exist all over the country - if you are a tax pro, accounting student, or seasoned finance guru looking for a way to help, contact community organizers in your area to see if your talents are needed!