Tax Volunteer Opportunities in the New Year

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This might sound counterintuitive for busy tax preparers but if you’re looking for more ways that your firm can give back this year, a volunteer opportunity might be a good fit.

Personally, I always thought it sounded silly to tell people that my “calling” was tax preparation, until I read Tim Keller’s Every Good Endeavor for a doctoral class I was taking. Those of us with the knowledge and skill set to help people with tax preparation and financial decisions can make a huge difference in someone’s life in a short period of time.

Part of our business has always been finding ways to give back. But it does not always need to be a financial donation, especially from your small business. Here are three ways you can donate your time in the New Year without overextending yourself!

  1. IRS VITA Program – The IRS’ volunteer income tax assistance program helps low to moderate-income individuals and families get their taxes prepared for free. Generally, these returns are less complicated and can be done without a huge time commitment but could make a huge difference to someone who benefits from your free work and knowledge. The program also offers grant opportunities. This is a great way you can support people in your community while still controlling your time commitment. If you’re awarded a grant, the funds can even be used to hire staff and find other qualified volunteers.
  2. Join a non-profit board – Almost every board I have ever volunteered for resulted in a swift nomination to the treasurer position. It is invaluable for a non-profit to have board members with professional skills like lawyers and CPAs. Find a local charity that does work you feel passionate about, whether it be kids, animals, a local church, or a community center. Almost every non-profit is excited to have new board members.
  3. Create a give-back day – Get your whole team involved by dedicating a day to community service. This can be a great team bonding experience, especially after tax season. Finding a local give-back effort you can join, or even creating one yourself can be a great way to spend time decompressing with your co-workers while also contributing back to the community they live and work in. The bonus of this one is that it’s also great advertising for the firm.

Accountants are certainly crunched for time, but the stress and pressure of tax season can create a disconnect from our passion for work. Opportunities to use our skills to give back provide an excellent opportunity to reinvigorate our passion for the industry while also teaching your team valuable skills such as networking and community involvement.