“Taxes are scary for everyone—for me, for you, for the clients. To be able to help people through it and have them come out with money in their pockets is amazing. Volunteering with Ariva is unlike anything else I’ve done.” —Ellen, Ariva Tax Preparation Volunteer.

With 30+ years of experience as a business journalist at PBS and CNBC, you’re probably wondering how Ellen found her way to us. It all started with a phone call and a Google search.

“My college roommate in Michigan volunteers as a tax preparer for the United Way. She shared many stories with me about how much fun it is to try to solve a tax problem and to help people save money,” she tells us. “I wanted to figure out how to do the same in New York, so I googled it and the New York Cares program came up. Ariva was the only option that had evening volunteer slots I could do after work.”

That was in 2020, and now, four years later, Ellen is a committed volunteer who volunteers with us once a week. Despite starting this journey without any tax-related experience, our training has enabled Ellen to provide our community with free tax prep in NYC. The thought of preparing taxes (especially for others) may seem intimidating, but amazing volunteers like Ellen remind us that the initial learning curve is worth it. 

Since volunteering with us, Ellen has amassed client stories that speak to the impact of both our tax preparation and volunteer programs. In one case, she helped a young woman with a complex tax situation secure a life-changing tax refund: 

“Her aunt helped her realize she was missing out on stimulus checks and the Earned Income Tax Credit for the last 2 years“  Ellen explains. “We helped her file returns for the two years and claim the credits for her and her family, which amounted to almost $6000.”

When you become an Ariva Tax Preparation Volunteer, you join a vibrant, bustling community of mission-driven individuals dedicated to providing tax help in NYC. We are so thankful for Ellen and all of our amazing volunteers who help us change so many lives, one tax return at a time.

“I really think that without a program like Ariva’s, so many people would be unable to figure out that they could be saving money or missing out on credits and refunds from their tax returns,” says Ellen.

As an Ariva Tax Preparation Volunteer, you have the opportunity to help others and the unique opportunity to understand and feel empowered in the complex American tax system. We provide comprehensive IRS, and VITA training to ensure clients receive top-notch services, and the best part is that you get to take this knowledge home with you. Many of our volunteers have become proficient in handling their own taxes and assisting their families with complex tax situations, too!

If you’re interested in connecting with your community and gaining hands-on tax experience, become an Ariva Tax Preparation Volunteer today!