SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Partners for Community Action is deep into its 22nd year of preparing free tax returns for low-income earners, the elderly and earners with limited English language skills — just about anyone in Hampden County who is earning less than $64,000 a year, regardless of family size.
The agency is among the IRS’s top five preparers nationally under its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, or VITA. But that begs the question, why is the IRS so concerned about poor people filing their taxes?
“The IRS wants to make sure that everybody takes advantage of all the tax credits that are available to them,” said Tabitha Desplaines, the director of community services at the local agency. “What happens is the IRS has us train volunteers to become certified to prepare tax returns for low-income residents. If you make less than $64,000 a year, you qualify to get your taxes done for free and the taxes filed.”
That IRS training is specifically designed to have preparers look for credits and programs open to low-income and disabled filers.
Springfield Partners for Community Action
Desplaines estimates the agency works with 1,200 filers each year. That means it prepares 2,400 returns, both federal and state, and sees about $1.7 million in refunds for its clients.
“Both the IRS and the state want to make sure people get that money in their pockets,” she said, “and that they don’t have to pay to get it. We want to see that low-income people get the entire amount of money back. I had a nice young mom who was getting $10,000 back, and we had a whole conversation about how she could go sign up for first-time homebuyers’ classes … (to) have her put it toward something good.”
Desplaines said there are a wide variety of credits and programs available, including the venerable Earned Income Credit for low- and moderate-income earners.
“That really puts money into people’s pockets,” she said. “Follow that up with the new Massachusetts Family and Child Tax Credit that returns $310 per child regardless of your income. Then, there is the Senior Circuit Breakers that gives a percentage of a filer’s rent or mortgage, a percentage of sewer and water fees, and a return on a percentage of property taxes.”
One of the volunteers ready to prepare a return is Springfield College senior Noah Wagnblas, who majors in accounting and is also No. 14 on the Springfield Pride, a wide receiver taking advantage of a fifth year of eligibility to play football because of the pandemic.
“This is a great fit for me,” he said of the VITA program. “It is all-volunteer, and I like giving back to the community. I thought this is a great way to get my foot into the accounting world.”
Wagnblas said the work with low-income filers at the agency is multifaceted, and in some cases even more complex than his tax class in college.
“I had taken an income tax class, and I was familiar with it, but this is just more advanced with stuff like pensions and retirement,” he said. “We start with an intake form with all the basic information, source of income and health insurance. I like to ask a lot of questions to get people’s stories. Then we use the software to help us make sure we get it all.”
The software Wagnblas mentioned is “TaxSlayer,” an IRS package that helps preparers take advantage of all deductions and credits available.
And, if in doubt, there is always the IRS tax code book.
“When I did this in the ‘70s, it was about half an inch thick,” said volunteer preparer Charles E. Knight. “Now, it’s about 3 inches thick.”
Knight prefers to be called “Charlie” as he works. He has been an assistant newspaper editor, a pastor, a VISTA volunteer, a public access TV visionary and a board member of Springfield Partners for Community Action, among many careers.
At nearly 80, Knight noted how his volunteerism, in some small way, helps balance the scales for his low-income neighbors in Western Massachusetts. It also gives him some personal satisfaction.
Charles “Charlie” Knight has worn many hits in his nearly 80 years. Today, he is a volunteer tax preparer and board member with Springfield Partners for Community Action. (Steve Smith / Special to The Republican)
“I just want to make sure they don’t lose out on something. The rich guys have got lawyers to do their returns and get all their deductions,” said Knight. “So, if I can help someone in some way so that their life is a little bit easier, then I have a valid reason to keep breathing.”
To make an appointment for free tax services, call 413-263-6500, and dial 2. To become a volunteer or intern, contact Terryl Wilson at 413-263-6500, ext. 6609, or email terryw@springfieldpartnersinc.com, or call Desplaines at 413-265-6500, ext. 6564, or email tabithad@springfieldpartnersinc.com.
Visit Springfield Partners’ employment page to learn more.