WITH the end of June just around the corner the Inverell Public Library is gearing up to run the annual free and confidential Tax Help program to help low income earners submit their returns online.
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This year, however, the library does need the help of some volunteers willing to undergo one day of training by the Australian Taxation Office, and commit some time to help others.
Library manager Sonya Lange said the service is really valuable for those who may have difficulty completing their annual returns.
“If someone has a simple tax return then the Tax Help program can help them,” Sonya said. “It is run by volunteers, and we are in need of some volunteers so that we can run the program this year.”
Sonya said the ATO would provide a full day of training at the library to volunteers and would provide everything required to complete it, including the information and computers.
“The volunteer really needs to have some spare time each week between July 1 to the end of October during tax season. They need to have reasonable literacy, numeracy and computer skills.
“But you don’t need to come from a background in finance, or tax, or anything else like that, and we’re hoping that there are some people who would like to get involved.”
Sonya said volunteers would be required to be able to contribute a couple of hours each week and the training is set down to be held on June 30.
“There are some eligibility guidelines for those who wish to use Tax Help,” Sonya said.
“Essentially, you have to earn less than $50,000 per annum and your return is uncomplicated. So you can’t be receiving overseas pensions, have investment properties and those sorts of things.”