First in a series on volunteerism
Volunteering during a taxing time
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
SEVEN POINTS–Gil Betts started his volunteer activities nearly 25 years ago, soon after he retired from his government job as an accountant and relocated to Cedar Creek Lake.
So what does a retired accountant do as a volunteer?
More accounting, of course!
And lots of local senior citizens are glad he does.
“I bring my tax return to him every year,” Claudette Alsup told The Monitor. “He knows all the changes to the tax law and makes sure I get every penny I have coming to me.”
During tax season (Feb. 1 to April 15), Betts and his team of half a dozen or so counselors serve as tax aides at three local libraries.
“The service is free. I’d like to see more people take advantage of it,” Betts said. “I get great satisfaction from making sure people’s returns are done right, and did I mention that it’s free?”
Supported by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Foundation, a charitable organization, the tax help program works in conjunction with the IRS, which has also funded the program for the last 20 years – your tax dollars at work, Betts said.
“It’s the largest income tax filing service in the United States,” he added.
Betts started as a counselor (an entry-level position) in 1994.
After a time, the local coordinator, who oversees a district with three sites resigned, and Betts stepped up. Then he became an instructor. When the first electronic filing program came out, he became the technology coordinator, too.
Every year, instructors attend special training sessions and must pass an open-book test. Then they can teach counselors, who must also attend a three-day training and pass an open-book test every year, Betts explained.
For those counselors who are just joining, some extra instruction may be needed, but generally the three days are enough.
Counselors are those who can volunteer at least 20 hours a tax season, are familiar with using a computer, can work with numbers or learn how, and have some good people skills.
“You can’t get the answer you’re looking for unless you’re asking the right question,” Betts said, noting that is stressed during the annual training.
Counselors also take a confidentiality pledge, he added. Every return is double-checked by a different person to make sure they are done right.
All in all, Betts has four leadership roles in the organization. The last is that of District Coordinator.
This district is made up of two chapters, on in the Cedar Creek Lake area and another taking in Ennis and Waxahachie, for a total of five service sites people can go to and get the free help with filing their taxes.
Of course, there are limitations to what the counselors will accept. No complicated tax returns, and none requiring a Schedule C.
Self-employed people who have a simple business and would fall under Schedule CE, counselors can handle, Betts said.
“We will do itemized deductions on a Schedule A,” he added.
The service is not liable to represent the filer before the IRS, as a paid tax return preparer would, he pointed out.
“We see screwups from paid preparers all the time,” Betts said.
Catching those mistakes and correcting them also gives Betts a lot of satisfaction. Each return is also reviewed by a dedicated reviewer to catch any mistakes a counselor might make, he said.
The free service also includes a review of last year’s return and this year’s figures. “Counselors advise the taxpayer on how much withholding to carry, what things they should track for their records next year, and so on,” Betts said.
The service does not give anticipation loans for expected refunds, which Betts clearly thinks is a waste of good money.
“First, they overcharge to prepare your return and then they charge exorbitant interest to loan you the money,” he said.
Counselors are not allowed to accept compensation for their services, though Betts said he’s been know to accept a freshly baked batch of cookies.
“On the whole, people we get here are very appreciative (of the service) and return year after year,” Betts said.
“The program is designed primarily for seniors, but we’re getting many younger people, too,” he added. “Professional tax preparers often refer clients to us, when they can’t afford their services.”
During the tax season, Betts puts in 20 to 25 hours a week as a tax aide. By far the Library at Seven Points gets the most people seeking the service.
“We do about 200 returns a year at The Library at Cedar Creek Lake and half that much at Malakoff and Athens,” he said.
Any client wanting to donate a few bucks – because they’re so grateful for the service – is directed to the library.
“They always need and accept monetary donations,” Betts said. He should know.
In addition to his tax season volunteering, he has been a longtime member of the Best Friends of The Library, serving as treasurer, president and currently as a member of the library’s board of directors. He feels the tax service is another benefit the library offers the community.
“My wife and I are very involved with the library. We contribute our time and money because we want to see the library stay open,” he said. “It’s a fine asset to our community and we are extremely lucky to have it.”
When it comes to choosing an area in which to volunteer one’s time, Betts said it’s important to follow your heart.
“When in doubt, do it. And if you do it, do it well and whole-heartedly,” he advised. “There’s something everyone can contribute somewhere.”