Volunteer tax preparers needed
United Way program aims to serve county's low-income population

The "Earn It! Keep It! Save It!" program is seeking volunteer tax preparers as well as interpreters, screeners and greeters for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. VITA sites in Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Paula and Simi Valley will open in mid-January and offer daytime and evening hours for volunteering.

Tax preparation volunteers will receive three days of free training and certification by the Internal Revenue Service. Training is scheduled for Jan. 4, 5 and 12, 2008, at the Oxnard College Job and Career Center. Volunteers can opt to complete the Tax Training and Certification online using the IRS web-based training.

VITA offers free preparation of federal and state income tax returns for taxpayers with low incomes. VITA benefits taxpayers in two basic ways. It eliminates the cost of commercial tax return preparation and secures tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit. EITC is a refundable tax credit available to individuals and families earning less than $39,783 per year. This is the federal government's largest anti-poverty measure and can be up to $4,716 per year depending on income and family type.

To volunteer for the program or for more information, call (805) 485-6288, ext. 226, or visit www.volunteerventuracounty.org and click on "spotlight."