Church makes filing less taxing for the needy
Julian Suggs, a retired pastor who volunteers with Tax-Aide, helps retiree
Thelma Mulloy, 76, and her disabled son, Paul, file their income tax forms.
UMNS photos by Ronny Perry.
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By Eve Annunziato*
March 17, 2008 | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)
Tax season can be one of the most dreaded times of the year, but one
United Methodist congregation is approaching it as an outreach
opportunity – an outreach that includes hot coffee and fresh donuts.
West Nashville United Methodist Church is offering a free Tax-Aide
clinic every Saturday for three months. The Tax-Aide program, created by
AARP, has assisted more than 30 million seniors and low-income people
over the past 40 years.
"The elderly, widows and poor-income families need help, and I feel fortunate
that I’ve been trained to provide that
help," Suggs says. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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“The doors of this church are always open because we have a real
open-door policy,” says Sherry Cothran Woolsey, director of missions at
West Nashville United Methodist Church. She sees being a part of the
Tax-Aide program as in line with the church’s purpose.
“Anything that we can do that expresses the mission of the church – love
of God and love of neighbor – that’s what we’re all about,” Woolsey
says.
Tax-Aide provides tax preparation help to low- and middle-income
taxpayers free of charge. The program depends on 32,000 volunteers
working at more than 7,800 sites around the United States.
One such volunteer is Julian Suggs, a former pastor who serves as the
Tax-Aide district coordinator for the Middle Tennessee area. Suggs and a
dozen other certified trained experts work at the West Nashville Church
site, giving up 11 consecutive Saturdays to give others a special
tax break.
“My wife and I, shall I say, have a healthy discussion this time of
year,” Suggs says. “She says, ‘You know you’re working a full-time job
as a volunteer.’ And, I answer, ‘Yes, but I believe in it!’”
Tax picture can change
"I feel great. It’s about the most American thing you can do
to get your taxes done," says Tax-Aide client Lillian Richmond.
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Suggs, with his upbeat demeanor and friendly smile, walks around the
clinic assisting clients, answering questions and speaking with people
as they await their turn to see an agent.
The tax picture for retirees can change dramatically in a short period
of time, Suggs says. For instance, if the spouse who usually prepares
the household taxes becomes sick or dies, filing can become a difficult
issue. In addition, he says, paying an accountant or broker can be a
budget buster.
“There are very few seniors that understand these complicated affairs,”
Suggs says. “The elderly, widows and poor income families need help, and
I feel fortunate that I’ve been trained to provide that help. And this
is very rewarding. After their forms are all accepted, I have the most
wonderful calm and peace that I was able to help people and save them a
lot of money.”
‘A great help’
After filing her taxes at the West Nashville Church, retired factory
worker Thelma Mulloy, 76, is no longer fretting and fussing over the
process. She is getting her taxes completed electronically and claims
she couldn’t do this without the help of the experts.
“This would take a chunk out of my Social Security check, which I need
for house payments, light bills and water bills,” she says. “And I need
all the money I can get for my medication, so this is just a great help
for me.”
Nira Gamble, 74, organizes her
paperwork before meeting with
a volunteer tax preparer. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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“When you don’t have a lot of funds coming in every month after you
retire, you don’t have a job and you live on Social Security, you just
don’t have the money you would like to have. This just means a whole
lot,” says client Nira Gamble, 74, of the church’s Tax-Aide program. “I
think this is wonderful. … I appreciate all of these people.”
Tax-Aide client Lillian Richmond, 52, also has a trained financial counselor advising her at no cost.
“I’m all finished with my taxes,” she says. “And it was for free – and
they serve coffee and donuts, too. You can’t beat that. I’m relieved and
appreciate it now that it’s over with and filed electronically. I don’t
even have to put a stamp on it!”
More information on Tax-Aide is available by calling (888) 227-7669 or going to www.aarp.org online.
*Annunziato is a freelance producer for United Methodist Communications in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Fran Coode Walsh, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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Resources
West Nashville United Methodist Church
AARP Tax-Aide
Board of Church and Society
Internal Revenue Service |