What better way for an accounting professional to help the community than to provide desperately needed financial services, such as free tax preparation to low-income individuals and families? Nearly 30 MACPA members did just that recently when they participated in the Volunteer Accounting Service Team of Michigan's (VASTMI) Tax Assistance Program.
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| Tiffany Mace, left, of St. Clair Shores has her taxes prepared by Communications Task Force Chair Amy Drouillard. |
The VASTMI Tax Assistance Program organizes more than 20 sites in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties through mid-April each year. For the past two years, the MACPA has “adopted” one of those sites – Focus: HOPE in Detroit – for two days during tax season by providing volunteers, staff and computers to sustain the site. Additional MACPA members have donated their time and assistance to help at other VASTMI sites.
An initiative of the MACPA Communications Task Force, the MACPA’s site helped process refunds totaling nearly $100,000 to the Metro Detroit community on January 29 and February 5.
Tiffany Mace, a St. Clair Shores resident, had her taxes prepared at the February 5 event.
“It was very helpful because I need assistance with preparing my tax documents,” Mace said. “The process went smoothly and my preparer was very friendly; I would definitely come back next year.”
VASTMI’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.
| Students Volunteer Their Time to Make Program a Success Several MACPA student volunteers participated as either a volunteer or “volunteer-in-training” by observing an accounting professional at the tax assistance program. Andrew Hamric, Walsh College, said he enjoyed volunteering for this program for several reasons. “It gave me exposure to and an appreciation of the circumstances of those less fortunate than I, ” Hamric said. “I got to practice applying my knowledge of taxes in the best possible manner – in an environment that is ‘real world’ rather than a classroom setting.” Hamric said he’d recommend volunteering for VASTMI to any student, because it gives students real-world experience while at the same time providing help to people who are very grateful to receive it. Student volunteer Iman Hanna, from University of Dearborn – Michigan, said: “I wanted to help other people who can't afford to pay a tax preparer. I felt this was a great way to give something back to my community utilizing my education and computer skills.” “It is a great feeling knowing you're helping other people,” she added. Jim Moss, a student at Baker College in Flint and president of the Baker College Accounting Association, enjoyed his volunteer experience as well. “Overall, the tax assistance program has been a terrific experience,” he said. “As students, we are always looking for additional means of building on our education. We want to learn how to walk, talk, act and work like the best accountants and CPAs. I’d like to thank VAST and the MACPA for giving us opportunities like the tax assistance program. I’ll be a better CPA someday, because of experiences like this.” |