Once again, for two Saturdays in February, MACPA has partnered with the Accounting Aid Society (AAS) in an effort to give back to the Detroit community. As an initiative of the Communications Task Force, MACPA adopted the Focus: HOPE location in Detroit providing CPAs, accounting professionals and student volunteers to complete tax returns.

Throughout tax season, volunteers for AAS complete tax returns, at no charge, for low-income individuals and families at various locations in Detroit, as well as several other metropolitan Detroit communities.

This year, MACPA’s events were held on February 10 and February 17. Approximately 15 volunteers each day generously gave their time and expertise to assist the clients in tax return preparation. The two-day program drew about 105 clients. Projected “return” numbers are expected to match, and even exceed, the figures from 2006. Last year, more than $100,000 was returned back to the Detroit community in tax credits.

All volunteers who attended the program were required to take training sessions prior to participation. The training gave them the necessary knowledge to provide clients with much-needed tax credits.

In order to be eligible for this free service, clients had to meet certain annual income guidelines. The maximum income level for an individual was $20,000, while for a family it was $39,000.

All of the clients were extremely grateful and appreciative of the assistance they received. One client expressed his gratitude by saying, “This program definitely helps those of us who normally cannot afford to have our taxes done by professionals. It shows there are organizations out there that really care about lower income people in the community.”

As much as the program helped the clients, it also was very rewarding for the volunteers. Although it meant giving up most of their Saturday afternoon, it was well worth it. Diane Edwards is a member of the Communications Task Force, as well as a repeat volunteer. “I think this is an excellent alliance with Marshall Hunt and the Accounting Aid Society,” said Edwards. “I love volunteering for the program because I know we are really providing a needed service to the community.”

The MACPA would like to thank these dedicated volunteers who participated in the program:

Nataliya Bokalo
Ayhan Chaushev
Linda Chu
Dana Cinquepalmi
Amy Drouillard
Diane Edwards
Jamie Finfrock
Dan Harris
Becky Holman
Gwen Montgomery
Stella Moulton
Anne Mount
Julie Oldham
Verne Paxton
Joseph Robach
Mark Rottermond
Ganell Smith-Mack
John Spranger
Paul Taros
Jia Zhao
Steve Zimmer