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LEWISTON — The Lewiston Auburn CA$H Coalition, an annual tax season go-to in the LA area, has gone virtual.
IRS tax law certified volunteers have prepared taxes, free, for low-to-moderate income individuals/families since 2004 when the city of Lewiston established the multi-partner coalition. However, to adhere to CDC public health precautions and avoid any shut-down mid-season due to COVID-19, coalition members have collaborated to put a virtual model in place. Tony Tenneson, a retired professor with vast tax return experience, will facilitate the local effort as site coordinator.
Tenneson said, “I understand that some residents will be concerned about having their tax returns prepared virtually. The VITA program has a strict protocol for the virtual tax preparation process. Every VITA volunteer has been trained and certified for the virtual tax return process. The IRS has strict guidelines for ensuring the security and confidentiality of tax filer identification and tax information during the virtual process. IRS tax law certified volunteers will contact the individual at various times during the process, from the intake of the tax information through the review of the completed return with the resident. The process is every bit as secure as face to face. I am excited, as this will not limit the number of residents who can be served this season. In the past, the number of taxpayers served was limited to the number of appointments that could be scheduled for face-to-face tax preparation at the armory.”