Mount Saint Mary College student Daniela Yannaco of Staten Island, N.Y. works with Kevin Mayer, Lead Coordinator for AARP Tax-Aide at the Montgomery Town Hall, on Monday, March 25.
With Tax Day looming, Mount Saint Mary College students are providing free tax preparation for middle- and low-income families.
The students have been volunteering with Tax-Aide, a tax assistance program offered annually by the AARP Tax-Aide Foundation, the Mid-Hudson CASH Coalition, and other local partners.
Through Tax-Aide, Mount students serve their community in donated spaces throughout the area, including the Newburgh Free Library and the Fishkill Recreation Center. In total, taxes are being prepared at more than a dozen locations throughout Dutchess, Putnam, and Orange counties this year.
Daniela Yannaco of Staten Island, N.Y., an interdisciplinary major, has been preparing returns for area residents at Montgomery Town Hall. She and her peers passed a six-day training course with certified instructors before they began volunteering.
As a tax preparer, she interviews clients, reviews documentation, and prepares federal and state income tax returns using computer software.
Lending her skills to the Tax-Aide program has been a rewarding experience, noted Yannaco.
“It’s like being a supportive guide, easing their burden, and providing clarity in areas that may have seemed daunting or confusing,” she explained. “Knowing that I can assist someone in navigating through something as complex as tax preparation, which can be a source of stress and frustration for many, feels fulfilling. It’s gratifying to contribute positively to someone's life by making a difficult task more manageable and empowering them to achieve their goals. Plus, seeing their relief and gratitude is always a wonderful feeling!”
Last year the program assisted nearly 6,000 residents, resulting in more than $4 million in tax refunds and credits while saving local families almost $1.7 million in tax preparation fees.