Would you like to lend your valuable tax skills to a worthy cause? The MACPA is seeking volunteers for the 2007 Tax Assistance Program (TAP), a Communications Task Force initiative in partnership with the Accounting Aid Society (AAS).

Each year, MACPA partners with AAS for two Saturdays in February at Focus:HOPE in Detroit to complete tax returns for low-income families and individuals. By volunteering, you can help to bring more than $100,000 back into the Detroit community in tax credits.

According to Marshall Hunt, director of the Tax Assistance Program, “We help a lot of clients receive refunds from credits they didn’t know about before they came to our tax sites. It is very satisfying when we can assist someone in filing prior year returns to recover refunds they might otherwise have lost, especially if those refunds can provide an opportunity for asset-building.”

Jaime Finfrock is currently an accounting student at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, as well as a past volunteer. She thoroughly enjoys giving her time because she sees the grateful look on every client’s face. “I really enjoy volunteering for the Tax Assistance Program,” said Finfrock. “I feel like I’m making a difference in the lives of people in my community in a way that most people would never think of, through taxes. I have also ‘walked in the clients’ shoes being from a financially disadvantaged family myself. When I found out about the TAP through the MACPA last year, I jumped at the chance to volunteer with such an admirable organization. I will continue to volunteer as long as they let me.”

MACPA welcomes volunteers of all experience levels – from long-time professionals to new professionals to accounting students. The event will be held on February 10th and February 17th. You can choose to volunteer for one or both days. Please Note: All volunteers must attend a training session that explains the software used, typical client situations and tax updates. Complimentary CPE credit will be offered for volunteers attending these training sessions.

To volunteer or for more information, please contact Wendi Salmons at 248.267.3709 or via e-mail at wsalmons@michcpa.org.