Daniel Vargas, a VITA volunteer, assists another volunteer, Jose Lopez (seated), with a
client question at the UTPA Annex during the 2006 tax season. VITA will provide
low- and moderate-income families with free income tax services in Edinburg, McAllen,
Mission, Pharr and Weslaco during the 2007 tax season.

UTPA Volunteer Resource Program and Financial Literacy Task Force Seek
Volunteer Tax Preparers

Edinburg, TX October 12, 2006 – The University of Texas-Pan American’s Volunteer Resource Program (VRP) in collaboration with the Financial Literacy Task Force is recruiting students and adults for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Project.

Receptionists, intake clerks, tax assister/preparers, translators/interpreters (English/Spanish/sign language) and data entry specialists are needed to assist low-income families with free preparation and electronic filing of basic income tax returns that include claims for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and other federal tax refunds.

In addition to providing a valuable community service, VITA volunteers can learn and/or enhance their tax preparation, accounting, organizational, communication, and customer service skills. The VITA experience can also enhance students’ résumés required for higher education and employment purposes. High school and college student organizations such as Business Professionals of America (BPA) and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) are encouraged to fulfill their community service goals through the VITA Project. For retirees, VITA is a great opportunity to share experience and expertise while giving back to the community.

Orientation and tax assistor/preparer training for IRS certification will start in October. Specialized training will be offered mid-November to early January to prepare for VITA site services scheduled for Jan. 12 to April 12, 2007 in Edinburg, McAllen, Mission, Pharr, and Weslaco.

Since 2004, the Volunteer Resource Program (VRP) at UTPA has assisted numerous students and Valley retirees in finding community service positions with local nonprofits. The VRP is currently recruiting groups and individual volunteers interested in a variety of service areas. Volunteers can choose from various one-day events to long-term continuing positions.

For more information on how you or your student organization can volunteer with the VRP, contact the Volunteer Coordinator, at 956/292-7566 or e-mail at volunteer@utpa.edu

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