Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 2011 — Free tax help offered, volunteers saught [ARTICLE]

Free tax help offered, volunteers saught

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is recruiting volunteers to assist with the 2011 tax season. Free tax preparations begin the first week of February. In partnership with Hawaiian Community Assets and the Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Home Lands Assembly, CNHA operates five Volunteer Ineome Tax Assistance (VITA) sites statewide to help families hle their ineome taxes for free. Families may be eligible for Eamed Ineome Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits that ean be as high as $5,666 in 20 1 1 . "Historically, Hawai'i residents leave $45 million dollars of unclaimed tax credits, on the table," Robin Puanani Danner, CNHA President and CEO, said in a statement. "By opening volunteer-run tax preparation sites across the state, we aim to help return the hard earned money back to working families. Last year, over 20 volunteers gave their time and knowledge

to support the campaign in a full range of capacities, ranging from tax preparation to data entry." Volunteers do not need to be experienced in tax preparation, as certification training will be provided. CNHA invites the community to take advantage of this service, whieh is available in Kaka'ako and Waimānalo on O'ahu, Anahola on Kaua'i, and Hilo and Pahoa on Hawai'i Island. To volunteer or to get your free tax preparation, contact Kapu Gaison at (808) 596-8155, tollfree at l-(800)-709-2642 or email info@hawaiiancouncil.org.

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