Each year, United Way of King County issues a call for volunteers to serve on our Free Tax Preparation campaign. And each year, folks like Gordon Hosmer of Bonny Lake heed the call.

“I believe it’s important for those who are able to give back to the local community and support its people,” said Hosmer, one of the hundreds of people who volunteer in United Way’s Free Tax campaign each year. “Volunteering in this program allowed me to contribute meaningfully. I enjoy working with computers, interacting with people, and solving problems.  This volunteer experience combined all three, making it a fulfilling opportunity for me.”

This year, why not join Gordon and others to help your King County neighbors file their taxes via United Way’s program?

Filing taxes can be daunting, especially for low-income families who depend on tax refunds and credits. As a volunteer tax preparer, you can ease their worries by preparing returns, maximizing credits, and guiding clients through the process.

Funded by United Way, the IRS, and the City of Seattle, the Free Tax Preparation program runs from January through April and helps people take advantage of earned income tax credits, the nation’s most vital anti-poverty measure.

Volunteers are fully trained and IRS-certified to help people keep more of what they earn by leveraging some incredible anti-poverty tax credits and preparing their taxes for free. We have both in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities, which include: 

• In-Person Tax Preparation Specialists: Prepare tax returns at one of our locations across King County. All specialists are trained to obtain Advanced IRS Tax Law VITA certification.
• Community Intake Specialists:  Assist at our tax sites by maintaining client waitlists, answering questions, and connecting clients to important community resources.

Dhanya Jayan Padmavathy, an Issaquah resident, volunteers to help clients navigate the complexities of the tax system.

“I found it incredibly rewarding to provide guidance and support to those who needed it most, and I especially enjoyed the opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive environment,” Padmavathy said. “I would highly recommend volunteering as a tax preparer to others. It’s a fulfilling way to give back while also developing valuable skills. I’m grateful for the experience and look forward to contributing again to the future.”

You do not need any prior knowledge or training to volunteer, though if you are interested in a virtual opportunity, you MUST have a high degree of computer literacy, a stable internet connection, and be willing and able to communicate with clients by phone. In general, it is important that our tax volunteers have a friendly attitude, a willingness to be flexible, have general computer experience, and are willing to commit to three to six hours of service a week.

The ability to speak another language is helpful, but not required. Languages in high demand include Spanish, Amharic, Vietnamese, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Russian, Ukrainian, Somali, and Tagalog. Interested in volunteering? Please log onto https://www.uwkc.org/volunteer/free-tax-prep/.

Hosmer says that—like many volunteer opportunities—United Way’s Free Tax campaign requires commitment. “Tax volunteering isn’t for everyone,” Hosmer said. “It requires understanding where to find specific tax guidance, patience in working through complex situations, and maintaining a calm and composed temperament, which is crucial when interacting with clients.  Despite the challenges, I will volunteer again because I believe people need this help, and I’m confident in my ability to provide it.”

Ryan McFerran, United Way program manager for tax credits and financial stability, said that anyone who fills out the volunteer interest form will be invited to participate in early bird registration (October 1st – 6) for priority access to select their chosen volunteer role, volunteer location, weekly schedule and training dates. Early registration has first come, first serve. Open registration will begin on October 7th.

Interested in volunteering? Click here.