Volunteers sought for tax preparation assistance programs Volunteers sought for tax preparation assistance programs ADVERTISING The Internal Revenue Service and its partners are looking for volunteers to provide free tax help in the community. Volunteers are trained — mostly online
Volunteers sought for tax preparation assistance programs
The Internal Revenue Service and its partners are looking for volunteers to provide free tax help in the community. Volunteers are trained — mostly online — and certified to assist those making $50,000 or less prepare simple tax forms. Last year, in Hawaii, more than 18,000 returns were filed with the help of more than 500 volunteers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.
Anyone can volunteer; bilingual volunteers are particularly needed. In addition to return preparers, people may volunteer as site coordinators or greeters. Training is held between November and January. Tax preparation runs from February to April.
To volunteer, email taxvolunteer@irs.gov or contact any of the following organizations:
c AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, aarp.org/money/taxes/info-2006/volunteer_aarp_tax_aide.html?cmp=RDRCT-MONTXAID_JUL15_010
c Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development, Susan at 548-1012
c Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, contact Elise von Dohlen at elvondo@lashaw.org or call 527-8056
c Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, contact volunteer program coordinator Lori Lau at 946-9675
More information is available at irs.gov, keywords “Tax Volunteer.”
Book clubs meet
this month in Keauhou
The Second Tuesday Book Group is discussing “State of Wonder” by Ann Patchett beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kona Stories book store. The group focuses on fiction writers.
The Just the Facts Group focuses on nonfiction works and meets at 6 p.m. Nov. 27 at the book store. The group will be discussing “Destiny of the Republic” by Candice Millard.
The groups are free and open to everyone; there is no attendance requirement. Attendees are asked to read the book in advance of the meeting and come prepared for a discussion. They should bring a favorite pupu or beverage to share.
Kona Stories is located in Keauhou Shopping Center. For more information, call Brenda or Joy at 324-0350.
American Legion meeting Wednesday
American Legion Kona Post 20 meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Teshima’s Restaurant meeting hall in Honalo.
Guest speaker is Terri Thomas Mahoney, Hawaii office manager for International Pilot Services Inc. and a founder, president and CEO of Hawaii Air Show. She will discuss the Hawaii Air Show to be held June 1 and 2 at Kona International Airport.
All veterans and their families are invited to attend the monthly meeting. A buffet dinner is served at 7 p.m. and costs $14 per person.
For dinner reservations and more information, call Kalani Hamm at 329-7274 or 936-8033 or Antonio Gaspar at 329-8791 or 345-5478.
Elementary school council meets Tuesday
Kealakehe Elementary School invites parents and members of the community to its School Community Council meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the school’s conference room. The Verizon cell tower and waiver request of parent-teacher conferences will be discussed.
Littnan discusses
monk seals at ReefTalk
Charles Littnan, lead scientist of the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program NOAA Fisheries Service, will discuss “Monk Seals in the Main Hawaiian Islands: Myths, Misunderstanding and the Search for Answers” during ReefTalk. The program is scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority’s Gateway Center.
The presentation will cover a variety of monk seal topics and feature cutting edge science, including recently collected footage from seal- mounted Crittercams.
Kupuna singles
plan dinner meeting
Kona Kupuna Singles Club members meet for dinner at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Fish Hopper. Call 326-1288 for more information and reservations.
