Society members lend expertise during tax season.

During the busiest time of year for many Society members, CPAs are reaching out in their communities to offer free tax preparation for those who need it most.

As part of Financial Fitness Ohio, The Ohio Society of CPAs has partnered with the Ohio National Guard to assist military families with their taxes. "Operation CPA" offers currently deployed Ohio Guard and reserve personnel and their spouses free tax preparation assistance from Society member volunteers.

"The Ohio Society of CPAs and its members want to show their support for the men and women in our armed services who are risking their lives for our country," says Jan Culver, CPA, chair of the Executive Board for The Ohio Society. "We know that the prospect of filing a tax return can be a significant concern to service members and their families. That's where Operation CPA comes in."

Volunteers from around the state are matched with military families that request the service.

"Many deployed service members leave behind spouses who are responsible for all of their financial matters--including tax preparation and filing," says Don Wolfe, CPA, member of The Ohio Society of CPAs and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). "I serve on the Ohio Council of the MOAA, and this group is really happy to see our Ohio Society of CPAs stepping up to this need."

Society members are also volunteering for other tax assistance programs in their communities.

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The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income ($37,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Volunteers are trained to help people fill out their forms and electronically file their taxes. VITA sites are offered in community and neighborhood centers all over Ohio.

"Beta Alpha Psi has been preparing tax returns for Ohio University international students for at least the past eight years," says Connie Esmond-Kiger, CPA (inactive), Society member and assistant professor of accountancy at Ohio University. "As the adviser of Beta Alpha Psi, I provide the training and supervise the on-site preparation of the returns."

During an average tax season, Ohio University students prepare anywhere from 250 to 800 tax returns.

"My students love doing this work," Esmond-Kiger adds. "They feel they are learning something, while at the same time helping our international student community. My reward is watching my students interact with the international students--I am always amazed at their level of patience and their commitment to answer any questions thoroughly in their efforts to complete the returns."

"The students who come in for our help are always very grateful for our services," says Carli Baldasare, accounting major at Ohio University. Baldasare sees this volunteer opportunity as a way to help others and expand her financial skills. "Knowing that I am able to use the skills I've acquired in class to help someone who really needs it is so rewarding. I'm also able to talk with students I normally don't come into contact with and it's really interesting to hear about their countries," she adds.

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In addition to VITA programs, there is tax preparation assistance specifically geared toward the elderly--TCE, or Tax Counseling for the Elderly. The TCE program provides free tax help to people age 60 and over.

Bobi Ravagnani, CPA (retired) of Akron, volunteers for a TCE program in her community. "It's good to realize that we're helping those who can least afford to pay to get their tax returns filed. Most feel relieved knowing that their return has been filed properly--and many have a hard time believing this assistance is free."

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For more information about VITA or TCE programs, visit http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=107626,00.html.

For more information about Financial Fitness Ohio or to volunteer for "Operation CPA," contact Karen West, manager of financial literacy and student initiatives at [e-mail] or 800.686.2727, ext. 344.

Karen West is the manager of financial literacy and student initiatives for The Ohio Society. She can be reached at [e-mail] or 800.686.2727, ext. 344.

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