The Margaret River Community Centre is calling for volunteers to register now so the Tax Help program can be delivered locally from July to October this year.
Tax Help is a group of community volunteers who help low-income earners with their tax responsibilities during the July to October tax season.
They give advice and help prepare simple tax returns and other tax forms for individual taxpayers.
The service is free and available to people on low incomes provided they are not in business for themselves.
"Due to a lack of volunteers we have not been able to register as a Tax Help Centre since 2015," said Sally Hays, Chair of the Community Centre committee. "A lot of people would utilise and benefit from this service if they didn't have to travel to Busselton or Bunbury to access it."
Due to a lack of volunteers we have not been able to register as a Tax Help Centre since 2015. A lot of people would benefit from this service if they didn't have to travel to Busselton or Bunbury to access it.
- Sally Hays, MRCC Chair
As a Tax Help Centre, the Centre would support volunteers by taking appointments from people seeking Tax Help assistance, coordinating volunteer availability and providing office space for appointments. More than 600 Centres operate around Australia each year.
No special experience is needed to be a Tax Help volunteer, all training is provided. Tax Help volunteers come from all areas of the community with a diverse range of ages and backgrounds.
The time commitment is a few hours each week between July and October.
You can become a Tax Help volunteer if you are at least 18 years old, have lived in Australia permanently for the last two years, can use a computer or mobile device, meet the requirements of a pre-engagement check (which includes a police records check) and can complete training, online and in person.
An ATO community liaison officer will oversee and guide you through the training and support you once you begin delivering Tax Help in your community.
If you are interested in volunteering for Tax Help 2019-20, contact Lyn on 9757 3200 or email admin@mrcc.com.au. Registrations close at the end of February, for training between March and June.
