Erik Valdes, Esq.
Why do our volunteers do what they do? They go through weeks of training, IRS certification tests and spend their days at our VITA site without any monetary compensation. They spend hours every week working with IRS forms. Many people would hear that and run the other way, but our volunteers are special!
Erik Valdes, Esquire, is a new tax preparer at our VITA site this year. Erik recently prepared and explained a client’s tax filing in Spanish after speaking with the man and learning English was his second language. Being able to file your taxes in your first language is often taken for granted, but Erik made sure that this man could feel comfortable and confident. That gesture, the little change that Erik made to best serve his client, is what makes our volunteers so special. They care deeply about the people in our community that they work with and they truly will do everything they can for their fellow community members.
“Vermonters helping Vermonters. It’s what we do. We just help each other out in trying times. It’s kind of obvious. [VITA]’s helping the community. Getting taxes done for free is great, and all people need to get their taxes done!” - Erik Valdes
Volunteers from our community, after intensive IRS training, are meeting with clients every Thursday at our VITA site to prepare and file taxes. These volunteers are caring community members who take time out of their work week to help clients get the best refund possible. That means more money in our clients’ pockets, and more money staying in our community!
THANK YOU ERIK!