I think you underestimate the costs of two income couples— and more than things like childcare. In a one paycheck household , the money earner is fee to focus on his/her career goals. Not true with two people who want careers. Often a location that works for one will not for the other. One may have to seriously compromise or postpone opportunities. And, of course, there’s no dinner ready to be served when two earners come home from work. Two paychecks are nice— but to reach them, many couples do take on heavy costs.
I encourage anyone interested in the volunteer tax prep service to check it out. The need is great. Last night our group had its end of the season get together. We did over 1550 returns- up from 1250 last year. This year there were no promotion efforts— the growth was all due to word of mouth. And don’t worry about the very rare high earners we occasionally serve. They are true outliers. I can attest to the real financial need of the vast majority of our clients. WI provides Homestead Credit for anyone with income less than $24,000 a year. I completed the returns for many clients who qualified, to access the learning materials for VITA, simply google “training for VITA tax prep.” It will take you to the IRS Link and Learn materials, There are two levels of certification— basic and advanced. By far, most of returns we do are basic. And as noted below, the tax prep colleagues are great and do help one another.
There are always people who will game the system, but I can’t even guess how the clients I see manage to survive. Just one example— our clinic got a total of $312,000 with the returns we prepared.
Accidentally posted this in wrong place. Meant it as a reply to RQ below
The IRS provides materials and there is online instruction. Some places offer classes, but that’s not really necessary for most volunteers. If you do your own taxes with software like TurboTax, you can get up to speed pretty fast. I’ll try to provide some more specific info. Training takes place in January so everyone can get recertified— we all need to pass tests— by the time the tax season heats up in February.
There is no income limit, as Rick noted, we’ve had very few clients with high incomes at the Goodwill ate where I volunteer. Last year, however, I did a return for a woman who earned $175,000. Everyone else I’ve worked with has income that was well under $100,000.
I don’t understand the need for all the accounts. Both of our pensions and SS go to our checking account. As the balance in the checking account gets larger, I simply transfer the excess to our savings account.
Comments
Yup!
Post: There is no such thing as a tax loophole, but here they are anyway
Link to comment from May 18, 2026
I think you underestimate the costs of two income couples— and more than things like childcare. In a one paycheck household , the money earner is fee to focus on his/her career goals. Not true with two people who want careers. Often a location that works for one will not for the other. One may have to seriously compromise or postpone opportunities. And, of course, there’s no dinner ready to be served when two earners come home from work. Two paychecks are nice— but to reach them, many couples do take on heavy costs.
Post: Take a Look In the Mirror
Link to comment from May 16, 2026
The lawyer seems VERY PROBLEMATIC. A good lawyer acts as an advocate for his/her client. Your daughter needs better representation.
Post: Help for divorcing daughter
Link to comment from May 15, 2026
I encourage anyone interested in the volunteer tax prep service to check it out. The need is great. Last night our group had its end of the season get together. We did over 1550 returns- up from 1250 last year. This year there were no promotion efforts— the growth was all due to word of mouth. And don’t worry about the very rare high earners we occasionally serve. They are true outliers. I can attest to the real financial need of the vast majority of our clients. WI provides Homestead Credit for anyone with income less than $24,000 a year. I completed the returns for many clients who qualified, to access the learning materials for VITA, simply google “training for VITA tax prep.” It will take you to the IRS Link and Learn materials, There are two levels of certification— basic and advanced. By far, most of returns we do are basic. And as noted below, the tax prep colleagues are great and do help one another.
Post: Tax Season Wrap up
Link to comment from May 12, 2026
There are always people who will game the system, but I can’t even guess how the clients I see manage to survive. Just one example— our clinic got a total of $312,000 with the returns we prepared. Accidentally posted this in wrong place. Meant it as a reply to RQ below
Post: Tax Season Wrap up
Link to comment from May 11, 2026
The IRS provides materials and there is online instruction. Some places offer classes, but that’s not really necessary for most volunteers. If you do your own taxes with software like TurboTax, you can get up to speed pretty fast. I’ll try to provide some more specific info. Training takes place in January so everyone can get recertified— we all need to pass tests— by the time the tax season heats up in February.
Post: Tax Season Wrap up
Link to comment from May 11, 2026
There is no income limit, as Rick noted, we’ve had very few clients with high incomes at the Goodwill ate where I volunteer. Last year, however, I did a return for a woman who earned $175,000. Everyone else I’ve worked with has income that was well under $100,000.
Post: Tax Season Wrap up
Link to comment from May 11, 2026
I don’t understand the need for all the accounts. Both of our pensions and SS go to our checking account. As the balance in the checking account gets larger, I simply transfer the excess to our savings account.
Post: The never ending payday
Link to comment from May 9, 2026
They won’t ever do that— the value is you get the same thing every time.
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 7, 2026
i totally understand the power of brand. There’s no convincing someone who is brand loyal. Aldi is also a powerful brand with super good products.
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 7, 2026