As a financial advisor for 15 years, Jon Zetlmaier spends his days in suits talking finances, taxes, and stock markets. But Jon notes “I would rather wear board shorts and discuss who the greatest rock star of all time is”. In his spare time, he enjoys skateboarding, skiing, and. Living in West Seattle, Jon dropped by the Downtown Library after work once a week before heading home to his wife Megan, and their dog Pebbles- a local celebrity recently named “Pet of the…
As a first time volunteer, Kady took on the challenge of volunteering at two tax sites. Fluent in three languages (Mandingo, French, and English), Kady juggled the responsibilities of being a wife and mother of three children to volunteer at Highline Community College and Auburn tax sites. When Kady is not preparing taxes, she likes cooking, enterprising, and watching her favorite television show “Mad Money”.
Why did you choose to be a tax volunteer? What do you like about it?
At the beginning,…
Although tax volunteers come from an array of professional backgrounds, the Free Tax Campaign has long been a favorite of accounting students across King County. It offers the unique opportunity to both give back and advance students’ academic and career goals. Anthony Gong, who is currently pursuing a Masters of Professional Accounting degree at Seattle University, juggled the academic demands of being a student with volunteering at the Downtown Library tax site where he contributed to the preparation of more than 4,000 returns.…
The next time you see somebody glued to their NOOK reader, it may be Belinda, an avid reader and tax volunteer. When Belinda is not reading from her collection of nearly 3,000 books she is an active member of our community as president of the Rainier Community Center Advisory Council and most recently, tax volunteer. Originally from Florida, moving to Seattle in 1977, Belinda has been involved in voice over work, freelance graphic & web design and continuing education since her retirement. This proud…
Originally a California girl, Katherine has been a Northwest convert since arriving to attend the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma five years ago. Her parents, both retired teachers, and older sister “assured her that she showed no early inclination for taxes, other than a tendency to itemize her doll’s possessions”. Currently serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Seattle, Katherine is planning to pursue a career in public policy and social justice. Joining the tax volunteer crew every Tuesday at El Centro de…
Kazuya “Kaz” Kato was born in a small city in Japan. Following in the footsteps of his sister, he decided to come to the United States to learn English eight years ago. Kaz, who describes himself as “really good at body language” when he first arrived, is now a well-versed expert in tax law. He joined the Free Tax Campaign as a site manager in 2012 where he assisted volunteers at Bellevue Hopelink with preparing more than 1,000 returns. The Free Tax Campaign will be spotlighting our…
For the past 10 years, tax volunteers have chosen to spend the cold winter days nestled at tax sites preparing tax returns in lieu of a fireplace and hot chocolate. Last year alone 650 volunteers prepared 13,320 tax returns that helped bring back $19.7 million in federal refunds to our community. To celebrate our current tax volunteers and inspire future volunteers here are some (hopefully) compelling reasons to join our team.
10. You provide an invaluable direct service to members of your community
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Taxes. For many this word can cause a shortness of breath or a slight nervous breakdown. Many have fallen victim to the fear of the 1040 and countless other forms as well as spent whole April weekends deciphering the code in the IRS publications. For me, only two options presented themselves every tax season: either tackle them by myself or pay someone else to do them. But, a third option is available in our community: the Free Tax Campaign Volunteers.
Originally…
