WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

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1 WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY... II - I,.' :, Office of the Vice President for Business and Finance and CFO September 28, 2009 To: The WMU Community The Kalamazoo County Tax Counseling Initiative (TCI) is a group of community volunteers committed to providing free quality tax preparation and electronic filing for low to moderate income taxpayers. We need your help. Since the TCl's inception in 2003, our group has consistently increased the amount of federal and state tax refund dollars coming back to taxpayers in Kalamazoo County. Our plans for tax year 2009 include unprecedented expansion at both new and existing sites. While our current group of volunteers is extremely dedicated, it is not enough to meet the staffing requirements at all planned tax sites. The support of WMU will allow us to achieve the program expansion goals and reach more eligible taxpayers in Kalamazoo County. In turn, we believe that the WMU volunteers will benefit by: Learning more about federal and state tax law Being part of a team, solving problems and helping people Helping to bring money back to Kalamazoo County Gaining experience in dealing with diverse populations Filing your own taxes for free, as long as your income is under $49,000. Working at tax sites that are fun and always interesting In order to provide a better idea ofthe TCI and the commitment involved in being a volunteer tax preparer, we've attached: A program overview A volunteer job description The preliminary 2010 tax site calendar If you're interested in volunteering and/or have any questions, please contact Kelly Linton at TCILinton({1),aol.com by Friday, October 16 th, The training schedule is being finalized and will be forwarded to everyone expressing an interest in volunteering. Thank you. Kelly Linton TCI Program Manager Lowell P. Rinker WMU Vice President for Business and Finance Seibert Administration Building, Kalamazoo, M PHONE: (269) FAX (269)

committed to providing free quality tax preparation and electronic filing for low to moderate income taxpayers. We need your help.

2 Kalamazoo County Tax Counseling Initiative (TCn Fast Facts Provides free tax preparation services to low-income workers, seniors, and people with disabilities. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is widely recognized as the most effective anti-poverty tool. GKUW convenes the TCI Steering Committee, which coordinates and plans all activities and operations ofthe Initiative. Bowers Manufacturing has participated in TCI over the last six years by supporting two employees to volunteer at tax sites and piloting a tax site for its employees. In 2009, the TCI completed 5,375 Federal and State returns, helping filers claim over $2.5 million in tax refunds. More than 20 public, private, profit and non-profit community organizations are involved in the Initiative. Overview Initiated by the W.E. Upjohn Institute, the Kalamazoo County Tax Counseling Initiative (Tel) seeks to improve the income circumstances of low- to moderate-income individuals and families by increasing awareness and accessibility to free tax preparation and federal and state tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Role ofthe Greater Kalamazoo United Way (GKUW) For the past six years, GKUW has convened the TCI Steering Committee, which coordinates and plans all activities and operations ofthe Initiative. The TCI coordinates groups offering free tax preparation services; identifies tax preparation sites; recruits, trains and recognizes volunteers; and arranges for marketing communication. Community Impact The TCI provides an important free alternative to fee-based tax preparation services. Low-income and other vulnerable populations can save, on average, $100-$300 by using free tax preparation services. In 2009, TCI completed 5,375 Federal and State tax returns, helping filers claim over $2.5 million in tax refunds. For TCI received an IRS grant to expand the program (one ofthree awarded in Michigan). TCI coordinates over 145 tax sites (VITA and AARP) to maximize service. Partners Include AARP, Bowers Manufacturing, Guardian Finance and Advocacy Services, Gryphon Place/2-1-1, Kalamazoo County Community Action Agency, Kalamazoo County Department ofhuman Services, Kalamazoo Public Library, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Michigan Works!, Portage Community Center, 60 th District Service Office, South County Community Services, U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Volunteer Center, and W.E. Upjohn Institute.

GKUW convenes the TCI Steering Committee, which coordinates and plans all activities and operations ofthe Initiative.

3 Kalamazoo County Tax Counseling Initiative (TCI) TCI is a group ofirs-trained and certified community volunteers committed to providingfree quality tax preparation and e-jiling. The TCI is comprised oftwo groups, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counselingfor the Elderly (TCE). Both groups primaryfocus is low to moderate income taxpayers, those making up to $42,000/yr. VITA has secondaryfocus on the Earned Income Credit (EIC); TCE has an additional focus on senior citizens. For tax year 2008, TCI completed 5375 tax returns, helping Kalamazoo area taxpayers claim over $2.5 million in tax refunds. Position: Reports To: Qualifications: Time Commitment: Volunteer Tax Preparer Site Coordinator Basic computer skills, ability to deal with diverse populations, minimum of basic IRS certification for VITA, TCE requires advanced IRS certification. Minimum of 25 hours of tax preparation spread over 10 weeks. Additional 8 hours (2 sessions) of instructor-led software and Michigan tax training. Several sessions will be available to choose from. Time spent studying for IRS certification. Amount of time contingent upon prior experience and desired certification level. Total time commitment is approximately 50 hours spread over 5 months, December thru April. Training Training is flexible and will be done over a 3 month period, late October to mid January. Federal Returns: Self-study. Train on-line thru "Link & Learn" at \",Vv\\.1rS.l!OV and/or with IRSprovided training and exercise workbooks. Certification test(s) can be taken on-line or by hand. The IRS requires that certifications must be submitted prior to the volunteer's first tax site. Michigan Returns: Covered during the 8 hours of instructor-led training noted above. Training schedule will be fmalized by October 1st. General Duties: Contact: Prior to starting a return, review the intake information with each client to assure accuracy. After the site coordinator's quality review, create the e-fiie, have the client sign the required paperwork, and give the client a copy of the return. Treat all clients with respect and answer any questions they may have about the tax return. If you'd like to volunteer and/or have any questions, contact KeJIy Linton at TCILintonrmaol.com by October 16,2009. The training schedule will be forwarded via .

Both groups primaryfocus is low to moderate income taxpayers, those making up to $42,000/yr. VITA has secondaryfocus on the Earned Income Credit (EIC); TCE has an additional focus on senior citizens.

4 Preliminary TCI Calendar, January 2010 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday SCC, 10:00- KVCC 10:00-3:00 KPLC, 10:00-3:00 Closed site, staff only 31 CAA, Commwrity Action Agency KGM, Kalamazoo Gospel Mission MW, Michigan Works! DHS, Department of Human Services KPLC, Kalamazoo Public Library Central PCC, Portage Community Center HAC, Hispanic American Council KPLO, Kalamazoo Public Library Oshtemo ROI, Residential Opportunities Unlimited KVCC, Kalamazoo Valley Commwrity College SCCS, South COlmty Community Services, Vicksburg

5 Preliminary TCI Calendar, February 2010 Sunday Monday Tuesday WednesdaY Thursday Friday Saturday PCC, 1-6:00 5 Bowers, 1 5:00, closed site. 6 MW,9: CAA, 1:00-6:00 10 HAC, 10:00-3:00 11 Galesburg, 10: KPLC, 10:00-3: SCC, -6:00 19 Bowers, 1 5:00, closed site CAA, 1:00-6:00 24 Schoolcraft, 10:00 25 Galesburg, 10: KPLO, 10:30-3:30 2R

6 MW,9:00-7 8 9 CAA, 1:00-6:00 10 HAC, 10:00-3:00 11 Galesburg, 10:00 12 13 KPLC, 10:00-3:00 14

6 Preliminary TCI Calendar, March 2010 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 KGM, 11 :00-3 : PCC, 1-6: CAA, 1:00-6:00 10 HAC, 10:00-3:00 11 SCC, 10: KPLC, 10:00-3: ROI, 10: CAA,l :00-6:00 24 Schoolcraft, 10:00 25 Galesburg, 10: KPLO, 10:30-3:30 2R

10:00-3:00 11 SCC, 10:00-12 13 KPLC, 10:00-3:00 14 15 16 17 18 ROI, 10:00-19 20 21 22

7 Preliminary TCI Calendar, April 2010 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Schoolcraft, 10: CAA, 1:00-6: ; if,

678 9 10 Schoolcraft, 10:00 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

MATCHDAY 1 7-9 September 2014

MATCHDAY 1 7-9 September 2014 7 September Sunday 18:00 Group D 7 September Sunday 20:45 Group D 7 September Sunday 20:45 Group D 7 September Sunday 18:00 Group F 7 September Sunday 20:45 Group F 7 September