Volunteers sought for statewide tax assistance program 

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is recruiting volunteers to assist with the 2011 tax season. In partnership with Hawaiian Community Assets, the Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Home Lands Assembly and others, CNHA operates five Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites across the state to help families file their income taxes for free. These families may claim Earned Income Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits that can be as high as $5,666 in 2011.

 "Historically, Hawaii residents leave $45 million dollars of unclaimed tax credits, on the table. By opening volunteer-run tax preparation sites across the state, we aim to help return the hard earned money back to working families," said Robin Puanani Danner, CNHA President and CEO.

"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,” she said. “As the 2011 tax season creeps up, we really hope that volunteers will come out and assist at one of our statewide sites.”

 This volunteer effort is made possible by training and program coordination provided by the Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development, satellite VITA site coordination and support by Hawaiian Community Assets, and community outreach efforts of the Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly.

Volunteers are needed for two categories: tax preparation and intake. No experience is necessary. Participants get to give back to the Native Hawaiian community and include certified tax preparation on their resumes.

VITA sites are located in Kakaako and Waimanalo on Oahu, Anahola on Kauai, and Hilo and Pahoa on Hawaii Island. To sign up to be a volunteer at a CNHA VITA site, or for more information, contact Kapu Gaison at the CNHA office, (808) 596-8155, (800) 709-2642 or info@hawaiiancouncil.org.