TAX AIDES: CPAs REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY - certified public accountants - Brief Article

California CPA, Oct, 2001

Use your CPA or legal skills by volunteering to teach a short tax-law course for AARP's Tax-Aide, a nationwide, volunteer-staffed program that assists low-income taxpayers, with special attention to seniors age 60 and older.

Tax-Aide instructors train volunteers to help prepare simple tax returns. They also administer and grade an IRS test to gauge readiness.

According to Frank Kafer, Tax-Aide district coordinator for the Contra Costa County region, there is a statewide shortage of qualified volunteer instructors. "We team teach in pairs. In my district, I need 10 instructors for five classes that will train 150 volunteers."

The instructing commitment consists of a two-day workshop (hotel, meal and mileage expenses reimbursed) in early December, and possibly one district meeting.

The IRS gives some CE credits and requires potential instructors to pass a relatively easy test. Classes run five days (40 hours) in the second or third week of January.

If interested, e-mail Kafer by the end of October at Tax_Aide@Email.com. He will put you in touch with the coordinator nearest you.