BY DANI TIETZ
dani@mahometnews.com
Without additional volunteers, the Mahomet Public Library is in danger of losing the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide service which offers tax preparation assistance to seniors and low-to-moderate-income households.
For years, the Mahomet Public Library has been able to offer the service to a large number of people who depend on assistance figuring out the often-complex tax rules.
Due to changes in the rules of the program, the Mahomet Public Library is looking for a few volunteers to assist long-time volunteer Brenda Farney to keep the program running.
“Brenda still stands ready to assist, but program leaders have informed her that she needs to have at least one other tax preparation volunteer working with her in order for the service to continue,” Mahomet Public Library Director John Howard said.
“If at least one additional volunteer is not found, the service will not be available in Mahomet this year.”
Volunteers do not need to be an accountant or to have extensive tax preparation experience to apply. Basic financial skills and basic (not expert) computer skills, plus a desire to help people, is all that is required.
AARP provides extensive training, along with easy-to-use software that aids the volunteer tax preparer in walking clients through the questions needed to complete their taxes.
“And – even better – new volunteers would be working right alongside Brenda and have access to her years of experience,” Howard said.
To volunteer or to learn more, please contact John Howard, Library Director at 217-586-2611 or via email at Director@mahometpubliclibrary.org. Please reach out ASAP as training takes place in January.
