KEKAHA — More volunteers are needed for the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program for Kauai.
“Last year, we prepared around 425 returns,” said Coleen Kasperek, the Kauai tax preparation manager. “We’re anticipating doing about the same number of returns this year, but there are a lot of new people bringing in returns.”
An Eastside coordinator is especially needed, Kasperek said, who can coordinate the efforts from Lihue north. The person serving in that capacity said she was getting too old to handle the responsibilities.
“AARP focuses on tax preparation for seniors, or people over 65 years old,” Kasperek said. “But we have never turned anyone away, unless they had a difficult return. Brian (Kasperek), who also serves as an IT person for us, takes care of the Westside.”
Thursday, the Kaspareks were hosting the tax preparation session at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center where 14 people were signed up for tax preparation. Brian Kasperek said during the first session in February, more than 35 people were signed up.
“I was going to come when they first came in February,” said Irene Randall, a Kekaha resident. “But I couldn’t make it, and my neighbor said this was my last chance. I did my returns early, and now, I like the coffee they served me so I could wait.”
Coleen Kasperek said anyone can be a volunteer tax preparer.
“Anyone can be a tax preparer,” she said. “You don’t need to be a Certified Public Accountant. There are three tests one needs to pass, but we have tutorials and help to get people cleared. Basically, the tests are sample returns. It also helps if you have some computer skills because we work with a provided software for the return preparations. The government also provides some laptop computers, but you can supply your own.”
Lee Bowen, a “seasonal resident” from Michigan, is on his second year volunteering with tax preparations.
“We come every year around this time,” Bowen said. “We just wanted to do something to give back to the community.”
Coleen Kasperek said Bowen turned out to volunteer after reading about the service in The Garden Island, when Charley Rebb, at 94 years old, was continuing to volunteer as a tax preparer.
“He was amazing,” Coleen said. “At 94 years, he said he could still do it, but when he made 95, he said that was a bit much, and he retired.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can call Coleen Kasperek at 332-5680.
