Tax preparers, intake workers, and administrative support for free tax prep site for low-income clients

Founded in 2004, the East River Development Alliance (ERDA) is an innovative nonprofit organization located in Long Island City, Queens (five minutes from Midtown) working to transform and improve New York City public housing neighborhoods by providing residents with the tools and opportunities necessary for self-sufficiency and economic mobility. This will be the 5th year that ERDA is providing free tax prep services to public housing residents and low income earners. The service is crucial to the fight against poverty in NY. We specialize in helping our clients get the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit – credits that actually help people to keep their heads above water, especially in these trying economic times, where families who are living in poverty are feeling the impact the most. Additionally, we are providing a safe, legitimate place for tax preparation – a service that can cost hundreds of dollars and is notorious for predatory practices against low income earners. For the 2009 tax season we prepared 1700 returns and got $3 million back into the wallets of needy New Yorkers. Every year since we have started tax prep we have nearly doubled the number of returns filed the previous year. • Volunteers choose any 4 hour slot (You can choose to work more than 4 hours in one sitting but we ask that you choose at least 4) If you are interested in volunteering / interning please email Florence Juillard at Florence@erdalliance.org for more information

For volunteer tax preparers, there is a 1-day training you must attend, and an exam you must pass (given by the IRS). Beyond that, all necessary training will be provided at ERDA.