How many people do you know who would jump at the opportunity to do taxes twice? We happen to know 312. That’s how many volunteers signed up to take part in our Tax Prep program from January through April. Every year, we team up with Ariva, NYCfNAC, and Food Bank to help hundreds of New Yorkers get the most out of their tax refunds.

Here are the numbers: 12,365 completed returns, $20 million in refunds, and more than 10,000 participants. That’s a lot of help for a lot of low-income New Yorkers who could use some extra help come tax time.

One Ariva tax client and SaveUSA enrollee, Sophia, is a single mother of two living in the South Bronx. Ariva staff and our volunteers helped her get back $8,500 in refunds – equaling 45% of her annual income of $19,000! Sophia is planning on using her refund to pay back rent, bulk up her savings, and purchase a computer for her daughter who is graduating from Lehman College this spring.

The program has a tangible, positive impact on the participants. Taxes may not be fun for most of us, but for our volunteers it’s a rewarding experience that allows them to give back to New Yorkers in need – and the program is growing. We filed 1,800 more returns than last year, and we’re looking to expand the program next year. If you’re interested in being a Tax Prep volunteer next year, email us at tax.prep@newyorkcares.org.