Tax Assistance Program
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What is the Tax Assistance Program?
Each tax season, MACPA members volunteer to perform taxes for low income individuals and families. The MACPA sponsors two Saturdays of free tax assistance at Focus:HOPE through the Accounting Aid Society.
The Accounting Aid Society runs tax assistance sites across Southeast Michigan serving people who may not otherwise be able to afford to have their taxes done by a certified professional. These families often miss out on many of the tax credits they are entitled to receive.
The Accounting Aid Society's program returns more than $6 million in tax refunds and credits annually. By helping clients navigate their tax rights and responsibilities, this program helps clients provide for themselves and their families.
As a Volunteer, What Will I Do?
Volunteers serve as tax preparers and/or screeners. As a tax preparer you will use tax software and a PC to prepare the client's tax return. As a screener, you will meet with clients as they sign in. You will ensure that the clients have brought all of the proper documents.
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Although it is helpful to have some tax preparation experience, training will be provided on current tax topics as well as tax software used at the site.
What is the Time Commitment of a Tax Assistance Program Volunteer?
You can volunteer for one or both Saturday programs that the MACPA sponsors. Each day usually begins at 8:30 and ends around 2:30. In addition to this time commitment, you will need to attend a training session that explains the software used, typical client situations and tax updates.
How Do I Volunteer?
Please click here to access a volunteer form. Once you have submitted the form an MACPA representative will contact you with more information.
*Please allow pop-ups to access this form.
A Special Thank You to Our Volunteers Over the Years…
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Alan Jacobson |
Julie Oldham Kim Laughton Kristen Deuben Kyle McKeown Lauren Zemens Lee Tappy Lorena Bencsik Lori Switzer Marina Houghton Mark DeCarlo Mark Rottermond Mary Ellen Burke Michael Wollschlager Monica Mulchandani Navjot Singh Paul Taros Phyllis Kramer Rubina Syed Samer R. Badawi Shawna Bailey Steve Zimmer Steven Lane Thomas Collins Verne Paxton |
"I found it an enjoyable experience to work with tax software and interact with clients. As an accountant, I will be dealing with clients all the time and this program will help me out with that."
-Ara Belian, Wayne State University
"Understanding enough about tax preparation to accurately complete a return can be very frustrating. By volunteering, I had the opportunity to let taxpayers know about specific tax changes that might be beneficial to them, or various credits and deductions for which they may be eligible to receive, yet have no knowledge of."
-Jamaika Hawthorne, Walsh College
"Volunteering for the tax assistance program was a great experience. I enjoyed interacting with the CPAs and gaining experience in tax preparation. I think the program is wonderful and a valuable service for people who may not have had the finances to have their taxes professionally prepared."
-Gwendolyn Montgomery, Western International University
"Being a part of the program was a great way for me to give to some individuals who really needed the help. It also helped me brush up on tax rules and meet some of the professionals that will soon be my peers."
-Kyle McKeown, Michigan State University
"I decided to volunteer for the program because I wanted to obtain more insight into income tax preparation and to offer assistance to individuals that did not have high incomes. It is a fantastic program."
-Ganell Smith-Mack, Davenport University
