Rafael Cornejo said he has seen immigrants go to tax preparation services where no one speaks their language.
At United Way’s tax preparation service, “we try to have as many interpreters on-site as possible to speak many different languages.”
And what’s more, “it’s completely free for low income families.”
The service was offered for the first time last year in Everett. Trained volunteers helped 500 people with their taxes. The average refund was $1,534.
This year, three additional sites will operate in Lynnwood, Stanwood and Sultan.
The service was launched to help ensure that low-income adults and families get the tax benefits allowed by law, said George Kosovich, a manager at United Way of Snohomish County who is coordinating the volunteer effort.
An estimated 20 percent of people who are eligible for the low income tax credit don’t claim it, he said.
“We think that’s because they’re doing taxes on their own and may not be filling out (the forms) correctly.”
Cornejo, who served in the Navy for 10 years, and his wife, Ofelia Ahumada-Cornejo, serve as interpreters for Spanish-speaking clients, two of the 60 people volunteering this year.
Cornejo said he and his wife feel a responsibility to help other Spanish-speaking families.
“It’s a privilege to help them in any way we can,” he said.
Many of those who come to the tax preparation centers for help don’t speak English, he said. Interpreters helps make people feel welcome, Cornejo said. Interpreters also help spread word about the service.
One bilingual man who got help with his taxes offered to volunteer himself, Cornejo said.
“Appreciation,” Cornejo said of how the man explained his motivation. “He felt he could help out.
“Hopefully, real soon, he’ll be joining us as a volunteer interpreter.”
Herald reporter Sharon Salyer at 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
Tax help offered
Interpreters available
Interpreters speak Spanish, Burmese, Cambodian, Cantonese, Filipino, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Thai, Ukrainian and Vietnamese. Call 211, the county’s social service hotline, for more information.
Where it’s offered:
n Cedar Valley Community School, 19200 56th Ave. W., Lynnwood.
n North Middle School, 2514 Rainier Ave., Everett.
Both are open 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. No appointment is necessary.
n Stanwood-Camano Community Resource Center, 9620 271st St. NW, Stanwood.
Open 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 27. By appointment only. Call 360-629-5257.
n Sky Valley Family Resource Center, 701 First St., Sultan.
Open 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays March 5-26. By appointment only. Call 425-374-5506.
Documents to bring:
Photo ID.
Income statements, such as W-2 forms and 1099s.
Social Security cards or individual taxpayer identification numbers for all family members and dependents.
Bank account information and a voided personal check if you want your refund to come as a direct deposit.
Paperwork for deductions such as property taxes, mortgage interest, or education or child care expenses.
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