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Volunteers learn tax preparation so that they can assist community members throughout the Cherokee Nation.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Community volunteers gathered at the Cherokee Nation Adult Education Building to attend a class on how to prepare income taxes. After completing the six-hour class and passing an open-book test, the volunteers will take to the streets to prepare income tax returns for people within the 14-county area of the Cherokee Nation.

The tax preparers are trained to help people fill out their forms accurately and to educate them about tax credits that they might be eligible for.

"I thought it would be interesting, I like to help people", said Sandi Andrews, a volunteer from Pryor.

After completion, Andrews will be assigned to the Pryor and Salina areas to assist with tax preparation. Although it is a six hour class, Andrews says, "It's not cramming it all in, the class time is accurate."

Sandy Long, Class instructor, explained the stipulations of the Earned Income Tax Credit while volunteers asked questions that may arise when figuring someone’s taxes. Molly Pettit, Class Instructor, explained the computer software program they will be using called Tax Wise.

The Internal Revenue Service has provided the Cherokee Nation with computers for the volunteers to use to file the tax forms.

"They will be able to e-file directly to Federal and State", said Landra Alberty, GED Examiner with Cherokee Nation Adult Education.

Tax preparation sites will be set up in Adair, Cherokee, Sequoyah, Delaware, Mayes, Muskogee, and Rogers counties. They will be in places such as libraries, community buildings, and Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation sites.

The volunteers are from various communities around the Cherokee Nation area. Some are Cherokee Nation employees, but most are people who just want to help. They are learning how to prepare federal income tax forms as well as Arkansas and Oklahoma state forms.

Volunteers are still needed in many areas. There will be four more training courses before the end of the year. For more information or to volunteer contact Victor Vance, phone: 918-458-0484.