Host free tax preparation events for employees
Tax preparation is challenging for individuals, especially new employees who have not had experience preparing or submitting their taxes. Further, without understanding tax codes or knowing about tax credits, they may lose out on potential refunds for themselves and their families. Finally, obtaining professional assistance may be cost-prohibitive or intimidating.
Host a free tax preparation site at your department and work cross-departmentally to increase efficiency in support of employees living below the NPPS to ensure they take advantage of the credits for which they are eligible and to save them unnecessary filing costs.
To get started:
Identify members who are financial advisors or able to provide tax prep support.
Review the IRS website below to help formalize your service and ensure you provide updated information.
Establish a schedule of annual events.
Promote this annual offering in your meeting announcements, newsletters, and social media.
Best Practices / Innovative Programs
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) operates a program known as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). VITA trains volunteers nationally to provide free tax preparation assistance to low-to-moderate income families, and enables community entities to host free tax preparation sites.
