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Volunteer call out: Tax Help program

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Cire Community House has just become a Tax Help centre and we are looking for a volunteer to run our Tax Help program.

Tax Help is a network of ATO-trained and accredited community volunteers who provide a free and confidential service to help people complete their tax returns online using myTax.

From July to October, every year Tax Help volunteers guide and encourage clients to prepare and lodge their own tax returns. They help people with simple individual tax matters to lodge their tax returns online with myTax and lodge claims for refunds of franking credits. Where necessary, they help clients create a myGov account and link to their online tax account.

You don’t need any special experience to be a Tax Help volunteer. Tax Help volunteers come from all areas of the community with a diverse range of ages and backgrounds. If you can spare a few hours each week between July and October, you can help.

The ATO will introduce you to myGov and myTax and show you how to prepare and lodge tax returns online. They will reimburse you for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel and phone calls.

You can become a Tax Help volunteer if you:

  • are at least 18 years old
  • have lived in Australia permanently for the last two years
  • can use a computer or mobile device
  • meet the requirements of a pre-engagement check (which includes a police records check)
  • can complete training, online and in person.

Volunteer training

Tax Help volunteers train between March and June each year.

Training is self-paced and online so you will need access to a computer and the internet.

An ATO community liaison officer will oversee and guide you through the training and support you once you begin delivering Tax Help in your community.

How to apply to be part of the Tax Help program

Applications are now open for Tax Help volunteers.

If you are interested in becoming a Tax Help volunteer and would like more information, email your name, phone number, suburb and state where you live to Individuals Tax Help at SBITtaxhelp@ato.gov.au by 20 April 2018. Alternatively, you can contact Simone from Cire Community House on 5967 1776 for further information.

Information provided by ATO website as of 01 March 2018

The value of volunteering

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Did you know that more than 6 million Australians make a difference by volunteering each year? A national study in 2010 showed that 36.2 percent of people aged 18 years and over participate in formal volunteering. There are many reasons people volunteer. Some people undertake volunteering in order to gain new skills, whilst others use volunteering as a way to meet new people or to make a difference to their local community. The variety of different tasks that can be completed by a volunteer is endless. Volunteering is a two-way exchange where people give, but also gain valuable experiences and skills in return.

Many volunteers may be unaware that their activities are considered volunteering. Volunteering itself can mean different things to different people. In 2001, the United Nations adopted specific criteria to differentiate volunteering from other behaviours. According to the United Nations, volunteering is

  • not to be undertaken primarily for financial gain
  • is undertaken of one’s own free will and
  • brings benefit to a third party as well as to the people who volunteer

People structure the way that they volunteer in many ways. Some roles involve short (or even longer term) projects where you would be involved for a block of time or just as a one-off activity. Other roles will offer shifts that would be on a regular or casual basis and fit around your other commitments. Organisations like Cire Services will include information about the times needed when advertising for a volunteer position and individuals can discuss availability and flexibility when initially making enquiries about the role advertised. Becoming a volunteer can also have an added bonus, not only giving the opportunity to learn new skills, but also give you a pathway that can then lead you to paid employment.

So what does it take to become a volunteer?

Most volunteering organisations will have a checking process to protect volunteers and the people they will be working with. Organisations will ask you to provide identification (eg. Driver’s licence), a reference letter or contact details of a referee and depending on the type of work undertaken you may require further screening, such as providing a working with children check.

As part of the induction process, discussions will also occur outlining the organisation’s policies and procedures.

Here at Cire Services, we are fortunate in having a group of hard working dedicated volunteers who contribute to a range of activities. Russell Varney is one of those hard-working volunteers that always presents with a positive attitude and helps out in a range of our education groups. Russell is the 2017 winner of the CHAOS Volunteer Award for Cire Services for 2017.

Another one of our valued volunteers is Judy Cook (main image) who helps out in the administration area on a weekly basis. Judy shared the following comment about what volunteering means to her:

“Having worked in the not for profit sector for twenty plus years, I was interested in giving some of my time to a community organisation after I retired. Just a few hours a week can make all the difference. Volunteering enables me to meet new people and keep in touch with some of my former colleagues. Volunteering allows the exchange of ideas and information and it is rewarding for me to share my experience and feel valued.”

In 2018, Cire Services will be working on a number of projects that will require a range of volunteer skills and backgrounds, so keep an eye out on our Facebook page and website for some exciting volunteer opportunities to be announced.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers at Cire Services for their hard work and contributions and wish them all a restful and relaxing Christmas and New Year.

If you would like to find out more on becoming a volunteer or about what we offer here at Cire Services contact us on 1300 835 235.