AARP Foundation Tax-Aide® partnership serves community and students
Preparing taxes is a necessary, yet often daunting task. For more than two decades, AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide® in partnership with SFCC has helped ease both the stress and financial burden for thousands. The program offers free tax-preparation service while offering meaningful service opportunities for volunteers and hands-on opportunities for SFCC accounting students.
“This is a great partnership between Santa Fe Community College and the AARP Foundation,” said Gene Varela, a former state AARP director who now volunteers at the site. He and his wife Yvette, the local AARP Foundation Tax-Aide coordinator, are well-known as the dynamic duo there. Yvette has served for 11 years and Gene for nine.
“The college provides a great space to conduct our volunteer trainings and tax preparation. SFCC offers excellent AV equipment, reliable internet, a dedicated phone line and space for us to have 11 stations for tax preparation from early February through April 15,” Gene added.
Local AARP Foundation Tax-Aide® Coordinator
Yvette Varela and volunteers Carmella Montoya and
Louann Stager doublecheck a tax return.
Gene credits much of the operation’s success to Yvette. “She is the person who runs the site, makes sure we have all the tech up and running, and ensures the volunteers are trained and certified to meet all the IRS and AARP Foundation requirements.”
The required online appointment system, which the program first piloted nine years ago, has greatly improved services. “Years ago, people would be waiting outside for two or three hours before the site even opened. It was a challenging situation.” Now appointments are based on volunteer availability, and taxpayers check in indoors with minimal wait times. Community members should visit the SFCC AARP Foundation Tax-Aide® webpage for detailed information and the appointment link.
Yvette said, “The hard work is all worth it. It’s so nice to see people happy when they walk out. Getting your taxes done is important but often is very expensive for some people.”
The impact is substantial. During the last tax year, the site generated $2,929,686 in federal refunds and $1,248,258 in state refunds. More than 5,000 federal and state tax returns were accepted at the site based at SFCC during the past two tax years. Every tax return is quality-checked by another certified volunteer.
About 10 percent of the clients who seek tax assistance are Spanish speakers, who are served by bilingual volunteers. Some people travel to the site from nearby pueblos.
“We also have one family who has come in year after year from the Navajo Nation,” Gene said. “We see the grandparents, the parents and the kids coming in now.”
The Varelas enjoy interacting with the volunteers. This year 58 volunteers are participating, many of whom return annually.
“I love working with the volunteers,” Yvette said. “They are all so kind and patient with people.”
AARP Foundation does have some restrictions on the types returns it handles. Community members should review the guidelines at SFCC’s AARP Foundation Tax-Aide page before registering.
Opportunity for accounting students
SFCC’s accounting program gives students the opportunity to train and earn academic credit as an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteer.
Students register for ACCT 1220 in January to earn three credit hours and may also enroll in ACCT 1998 for an internship.
“It’s more challenging for the students because they complete intensive live online training,” Yvette said, noting many balance busy work and school schedules.
Students begin by shadowing experienced volunteers and work toward certification before assisting taxpayers.
Sat Hari Khalsa, 47, who is pursuing an associate degree in accounting, took the class and returned as a volunteer this year. After working in a variety of jobs, she wanted new skills to re-enter the workforce. The flexibility of online accounting work appealed to her. She said, “I’m very grateful to SFCC. I’ve gotten wonderful experience and opportunities through the college.” In addition to volunteering with AARP Foundation Tax-Aide®, she also participated in the PILAS paid internship program, which placed her in an internship at the Santa Fe Literary Festival. She said those experiences provided valuable career connections.
Maria Pulido, 53, an SFCC student is serving for the third year as a bilingual volunteer. “I am so happy to help with the Spanish speakers,” Pulido said. She also has much gratitude for SFCC in helping her pursue her education. She began at SFCC by earning her GED and now works in bookkeeping for the Santa Fe McDonald’s businesses. A single mother of a 13-year-old, she said taking classes online works well for her schedule.
Student Maria Pulido volunteers
with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide® program.
“I love working with numbers,” she said, adding that she hopes to study medical billing in the future.
The Varelas are always encouraged when students return as volunteers after their coursework. This year, three are volunteering again.
Volunteers are always appreciated
Volunteers are central to the program’s success. Those who’d like to assist the program can submit an application. While tax-preparation training has closed for this season, the site still could use some additional greeters.
“We work with your schedule,” Yvette said.
An accounting background is not required. Volunteers from all walks of life are welcome if they are willing to complete certification and serve in a positive, professional manner.
Before joining Tax-Aide, Yvette worked as an elementary school teacher for 37 years with Santa Fe Public Schools and Santo Nino Catholic School. Gene previously worked with the N.M. State Agency on Aging and later served as the AARP State Director.
Now retired, Gene, not only volunteers at the SFCC site, but also drives to Las Vegas, New Mexico on Fridays with three volunteers to assist residents there.
Like everyone, they look forward to the end of the tax season. At the same time, they said the personal rewards of helping others will bring them back next year.
